Large septic pulmonary embolus complicating streptococcus mutans pulmonary valve endocarditis.

Large septic pulmonary embolus is a rare finding in right-sided endocarditis. The entity represents a challenging diagnosis due to its variable and nonspecific clinical and radiological presentation and similarities with other conditions. We present a case of a 41 year-old woman who developed a large main pulmonary artery embolus and bilateral cavitary lung nodules in the setting of severe sepsis. Pulmonary artery exploration and clot retrieval ultimately revealed a large septic embolus from Streptococcus mutans native pulmonary valve endocarditis. The diagnosis of septic pulmonary emboli from right-sided endocarditis should be considered in patients with ancillary findings of septic embolic phenomenon, particularly the presence of multifocal cavitary nodules and in the setting of appropriate predisposing factors.

Primary pyomyositis and disseminated septic pulmonary emboli: a reactivated staphylococcal infection?

Staphylococcal pyomyositis is a severe invasive soft tissue infection with high mortality rate that is increasingly being recognized even in temperate climates. In most cases predisposing factors are identified that include either source of skin penetration or/and impaired host immunocompetence. A case of primary, community-acquired pyomyositis of the left iliopsoas muscle in a 59-year-old immunecompetent woman, which was complicated with septic pulmonary emboli within 24 h after hospital admission, is presented. The patient was subjected to abscess drainage under computed tomography guidance. Both pus aspiration and blood cultures revealed methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. Given the absolute absence of predisposing factors and a remote history of staphylococcal osteomyelitis in the same anatomical region 53 years ago, reactivation of a staphylococcal soft tissue infection was postulated. Systematic review of the literature revealed a few interesting cases of reactivated staphylococcal infection after decades of latency, although the exact pathophysiological mechanisms still need to be elucidated.

Primary pyomyositis and disseminated septic pulmonary emboli: a reactivated staphylococcal infection?

Staphylococcal pyomyositis is a severe invasive soft tissue infection with high mortality rate that is increasingly being recognized even in temperate climates. In most cases predisposing factors are identified that include either source of skin penetration or/and impaired host immunocompetence. A case of primary, community-acquired pyomyositis of the left iliopsoas muscle in a 59-year-old immunocompetent woman, which was complicated with septic pulmonary emboli within 24h after hospital admission, is presented. The patient was subjected to abscess drainage under computed tomography guidance. Both pus aspiration and blood cultures revealed methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. Given the absolute absence of predisposing factors and a remote history of staphylococcal osteomyelitis in the same anatomical region 53 years ago, reactivation of a staphylococcal soft tissue infection was postulated. Systematic review of the literature revealed a few interesting cases of reactivated staphylococcal infection after decades of latency, although the exact pathophysiological mechanisms still need to be elucidated.

Lemierre syndrome from a neck abscess due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Lemierre syndrome is characterized by acute septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) that develops after an oropharyngeal infection, and can be complicated by septic emboli to lungs and other organs. The most frequent causative agent is Fusobacterium necrophorum, an anaerobic bacillus found in normal oropharyngeal flora. Staphylococcus aureus has emerged as a cause of Lemierre syndrome in the last decade. We report a case of a 24-year-old man who developed septic IJV thrombosis and necrotizing pneumonia due to S. aureus from an infected hematoma in the right sternocleidomastoid muscle. Antibiotics are the mainstay of therapy with few cases needing anticoagulation. A good outcome is dependent upon an awareness of the condition, a high index of suspicion, and prompt initiation of antibiotic therapy. Recognition of S. aureus as a cause of Lemierre syndrome can guide the choice of initial antibiotics to cover this virulent pathogen.

Lemierre syndrome from a neck abscess due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Lemierre syndrome is characterized by acute septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) that develops after an oropharyngeal infection, and can be complicated by septic emboli to lungs and other organs. The most frequent causative agent is Fusobacterium necrophorum, an anaerobic bacillus found in normal oropharyngeal flora. Staphylococcus aureus has emerged as a cause of Lemierre syndrome in the last decade. We report a case of a 24-year-old man who developed septic IJV thrombosis and necrotizing pneumonia due to S. aureus from an infected hematoma in the right sternocleidomastoid muscle. Antibiotics are the mainstay of therapy with few cases needing anticoagulation. A good outcome is dependent upon an awareness of the condition, a high index of suspicion, and prompt initiation of antibiotic therapy. Recognition of S. aureus as a cause of Lemierre syndrome can guide the choice of initial antibiotics to cover this virulent pathogen.

Sinais tomográficos de tromboembolismo pulmonar crônico / Tomographic signs of chronic pulmonary emboli

O objetivo deste estudo é abordar os principais sinais tomográficos de tromboembolismo pulmonar crônico, que apesar ser entidade rara é considerada condição grave e de mau prognóstico, devendo ser prontamente diagnosticada, para permitir tratamento precoce e evitar um desfecho dramático, com evolução para hipertensão pulmonar. Serão apresentados, por meio de exames de imagem, os principais achados tomográficos diretos e indiretos relacionados à embolia pulmonar crônica. Os sinais de tromboembolismo pulmonar crônico são divididos em diretos e indiretos. Sinais diretos:obstrução luminal completa, falhas de enchimento não obstrutivas (irregularidades intimais, bandas e afilamentos focais) e maiores coeficientes de atenuação dos trombos crônicos em relação aos agudos. Sinais indiretos: aumento do calibre da artéria pulmonar, proeminência da circulaçãoarterial brônquica, aumento da relação ventrículo direito/esquerdo, refluxo de contraste para a veia cava inferior, tortuosidade dos ramos arteriais pulmonares periféricos, dilatações vasculares pós-estenóticas e perfusão em mosaico do parênquima pulmonar.

The purpose of this study is to review the most important tomographic signs of chronic pulmonary emboli, to make possible a precocious and precise diagnosis, since this disease can haveserious complications such as pulmonary hypertension, and right heart failure. There will be presented by means of tomographic images the most important direct and indirect signs of chronicpulmonary emboli. As direct signs we can find complete or partial artery occlusion, with higher thrombus attenuation when compared with acute process. Poststenotic vessel dilatation, tortuous pulmonary arteries, enlargement of the main pulmonary artery, enlargement of bronchial arteries and mosaic pattern of lung attenuation are classified as indirect signs.