Computed tomography findings in a patient with fungal aortitis: Acute aortic syndrome secondary to fusariosis

Abstract

Fusarium is a mould widely distributed in soil and water which causes various diseases in plants and occasionally in animals. The Fusarium species cause a broad spectrum of infections in humans, of which, the degree of severity is largely determined by the immune-status of the host, occurring in the most severe and invasive forms in immunocompromised individuals. Skin infections, sinusitis and pneumonia are the most common human manifestations of the disease. In patients with severe immunodeficiency, the disease can become invasive and disseminated causing fungemia. We report a case of an immunocompromised patient presenting with acute chest pain secondary to complicated Fusarium aortitis. © 2013 The Author. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.