Acute aortic occlusion with sudden paraplegia secondary to Aspergillus niger embolism from Aspergillus niger aortitis

Abstract

Acute aortic occlusion caused by a saddle embolus is a rare vascular emergency. Associated sudden paraplegia secondary to spinal cord ischemia is even more uncommon. Aspergillus surgical site infection is typically linked to cardiac surgery but is exceptional. Here we present a case that combines all of these factors. A 67-year-old man presented with sudden paraplegia from acute aortic occlusion with a saddle embolus from Aspergillus niger aortitis 4 months after aortic valve replacement and aortoplasty. We believe this to be the second reported case of Aspergillus niger aortitis and the first presenting as aortic occlusion with paraplegia.

The role of surgical debridement in different clinical manifestations of invasive aspergillosis

“…Aspergillus aneurysms of the aorta have also been reported to be caused by prior surgical interventions, either during cardiac valve replacement or grafting of aortic dissection, resulting in major complication and life‐threatening embolic events . Overall, radical surgical intervention is indicated to reduce mortality in Aspergillus mycotic aneurysm or aortitis or aortic graft infection …”

“…70,71 Overall, radical surgical intervention is indicated to reduce mortality in Aspergillus mycotic aneurysm or aortitis or aortic graft infection. [69][70][71][72]…”

A 72‐Year‐Old Man With Dyspnea, Circumferential Aortic Thickening, and Weight Loss

“…Fungal aortitis is extremely rare, and is caused by Aspergillus species and Candida albicans (). Aspergillus aortitis is frequently related to cardiac surgery and normally leads to fatal multiple organ dissemination (). In this patient, there was no previous cardiac surgery and the blood cultures were all negative.…”

A Case Report: Successful Management of an Aortic Saddle Embolism in a 28-Year-Old Female

“…3 In general, lower extremity dysfunction is the most common sequelae of ASE, ranging from mild sensory and motor deficits to the loss of the limb. 4 Here we report for the first time, a case of successful management of ASE in a healthy 28-year-old female patient who presented at our hospital with complaints of bilateral lower extremity weakness and numbness. The patient was successfully treated and discharged home in stable condition on postoperative day seven.…”