Anaemia secondary to Escherichia coli mycotic aneurysm

Abstract

Mycotic aneurysms can pose a diagnostic dilemma due to their variable presentations. We present a case of a 93-year-old man initially presenting with fevers, intermittent chest pain and normocytic anaemia refractory to repeated blood transfusions. He received intravenous ceftriaxone as Escherichia coli grew in his blood cultures. His chest X-ray showed a widened mediastinum. A subsequent CT of the chest discovered a mycotic aneurysm at the descending thoracic aorta. He had a good outcome and was thriving after 1 year post endovascular repair.