Successful embolization of an infected aneurysm of a subsegmental pulmonary artery in an infant with necrotizing MRSA pneumonia

• Main Authors: Burren Juerg Martin, MD, FMH (CH), FCICM, Hogarth Stephanie, BSc, MBBS, Rashid Muddassir, MBBS, MD, FRANZCR, EBIR, Masters Ian Brent, MBBS, FRACP, PhD, Anderson Benjamin, MBBS, FRACP, FCSANZ, Borzi Peter, MBBS, FRACS, FRCS, Grips Martin, FRACP, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-09-01
• Series: Radiology Case Reports
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043319301888
• ISSN: 1930-0433

Para-infections aneurysms are a very rare complication but bear the risk of significant morbidity and mortality in case of rupture and hemorrhage. We present the youngest published case of a right-sided pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm due to nonmultiresistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in a 7-month old boy, complicated by 2 episodes of significant hemorrhage. Selective microvascular plug embolization of the feeding segmental pulmonary artery by interventional radiology and cardiology was successfully undertaken while having a cardiothoracic surgical team on stand-by. Follow-up ultrasounds showed no residual flow distal to the microvascular plug. The patient had complete clinical recovery 10 months after the initial presentation. Interventional radiology procedures are challenging in children due to limited availability of appropriately-sized equipment, low case numbers, and a limited body of literature. Keywords: Pulmonary artery aneurysm, Pneumonia, Microvascular plug