Background
Mycotic aneurysms are rare vascular lesions, occurring in 0.6–2% of arterial aneurysms but with no reported venous cases. Venous aneurysms unrelated to an underlying infectious process have been previously described and are typically surgically repaired due to risk of thromboembolic events.
Case presentation
This case reports a bleeding external iliac vein mycotic aneurysm secondary to erosion of a chronic pelvic abscess, successfully treated with endovascular stenting, in an oncologic patient without alternative therapeutic options.
Conclusion
Venous aneurysms are uncommon vascular lesions which have historically been treated with open surgical repair. Given the lower degree of procedural morbidity, endovascular management of these lesions may be an effective option in the appropriate setting, particularly as a last resort in patients without surgical treatment options.
To emphasize the utility of contrast enhanced MRI for identifying the extent of disease in herpes zoster ophthalmicus with intracranial extension to help determine proper management. We present a rare case of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZ/HZO) with intracranial extension and MRI demonstration of involvement of the trigeminal nerve, the trigeminal nucleus, and the spinal trigeminal nucleus and tract. Herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus with involvement of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve has been estimated to account for 10-20% of the cases (Yawn et al. in Mayo Clin Proc 88:562-570, 2013). While postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication, HZ/HZO can rarely manifest in a more sinister manner resulting in multi-dermatomal involvement, disseminated disease, cranial arteritis (Walker in Radiology 107:109-110, 1973), cranial nerve paresis (O.d in Clinical Eye and Vision Care 11:75-80, 1999), hemiplegia (Cavaletti in The Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences 11:297-300, 1990), ocular/dysfunction (Kocaoğlu in Türk Oftalmoloji Dergisi 48:42-46, 2018), and intracranial extension (Chen in BMC Infectious Diseases 17:213, 2017; Yawn in Mayo Clin Proc. 88:562-570, 2013). Contrast enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) can be of great benefit to elucidate the extent of disease and intracranial involvement for institution of more aggressive management to prevent further complications.
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