Infectious Aortitis Due to Salmonella Species Masquerading as Lung Malignancy

Infectious aortitis is a rare but devastating vascular infection with mortality exceeding 40%. Early diagnosis is crucial but often hampered by radiographic mimickers. We report a patient who was thought to have lung cancer but ultimately found to have an infected aortic aneurysm and bacteremia owing to Salmonella species. Owing to surgical contraindications, he was treated palliatively with an initial regimen of intravenous ampicillin/sulbactam followed by lifelong oral antibiotic suppression. He ultimately rejected his diagnosis, discontinued medications, and was lost to follow-up. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.)