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Blood Culture-Negative Endocarditis Secondary to Skin Popping
Bradley Casey1, Abigail Daniels2, Alejandro Chapa-Rodriguez3
1Internal Medicine, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, USA.
Cureus
|May 17, 2023
Summary
This case report highlights a blood culture-negative endocarditis misdiagnosed as traumatic brain injury in a patient with a history of intravenous drug use. It emphasizes the diagnostic challenges and rare presentations of infectious endocarditis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Infectious endocarditis (IE) requires strict diagnostic criteria and thorough patient evaluation.
- Intravenous drug abuse is a significant risk factor for hospital-acquired endocarditis.
Observation:
- A 29-year-old male presented with altered mental status after head trauma, with a history of intravenous and subcutaneous drug use.
- Initial diagnosis was traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, but septic emboli were suspected.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with blood culture-negative endocarditis, with septic emboli causing neurological symptoms.
- Less common dermatologic manifestations, including Osler nodes and Janeway lesions, were noted.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering infectious endocarditis in patients with risk factors, even with atypical presentations.
- Early recognition and appropriate management are crucial for improving outcomes in infectious endocarditis.
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