Mycotic aortic aneurysm in a patient with Tolosa-Hunt syndrome

South Med J. 2001 Apr;94(4):441-4.

Abstract

Mycotic aneurysms have been associated with many clinical conditions. A tender pulsatile abdominal mass in association with fever, chills, and unrelenting back pain is suggestive of a leaking mycotic aneurysm. However, the extracranial manifestations of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) may mimic several of these symptoms. We report the case of a woman who was successfully treated with high-dose steroids for THS. Two months later, she was admitted to another hospital with rigors and unremitting back and abdominal pain. CT-guided aspiration of an L5-S1 paravertebral mass was done. The aspirate and blood cultures grew Staphylococcus aureus. Intravenous antibiotics and analgesics were administered with good relief. A month after discharge from that hospital, she was admitted to our hospital with classic signs and symptoms of a leaking mycotic aneurysm. She was treated surgically and has remained asymptomatic for 21 months. Tolosa-Hunt syndrome associated with mycotic aortic aneurysms has not been previously reported.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Aneurysm, Infected / diagnosis
  • Aneurysm, Infected / etiology*
  • Aneurysm, Infected / therapy
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / diagnosis
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / etiology*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / therapy
  • Aortography
  • Back Pain / etiology
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography, Interventional
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Staphylococcal Infections / etiology*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / therapy
  • Staphylococcus aureus*
  • Steroids
  • Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome / complications*
  • Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Steroids