Infected splenic artery aneurysm with associated splenic abscess formation secondary to bacterial endocarditis: case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

Infected aneurysms are rare and may present with rupture or sepsis. Surgical treatment is often required to prevent catastrophic sequelae. Bacterial endocarditis is one of the classic causes of infected aneurysm. We present a case of a 6.1-cm infected splenic artery aneurysm secondary to endocarditis. Surgical treatment consisted of aortic and mitral valve replacements, splenic artery aneurysm resection, and splenectomy. We reviewed five other reported infected splenic artery aneurysms in which documented ruptured had occurred in three patients. Because the rate of rupture in these patients appears to be quite high, infected splenic artery aneurysms require prompt treatment.