[Bacterial aortic aneurysm due to pseudomonas aeruginosa after pneumonectomy (author's transl)]

After transpericardial extrapleural pneumonectomy because of bronchial carcinoma in a 56-year old woman an infection of the thoracic cavity develops, caused by pseudomonas aeruginosa. The patient dies from this infection. At autopsy an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta is discovered close to the previous site of operation. In the wall of the aneurysm pseudomonas aeruginosa is found. Pathogenetic problems concerning the development of bacterial aortic aneurysms are discussed, and in the case presented an infection of the aortic wall from outside via the lymphatics of the adventitia and vasa vasorum is regarded as the most probably way of infection.