Ann Surg Treat Res.  2015 Oct;89(4):224-227. 10.4174/astr.2015.89.4.224.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm in giant cell arteritis

• Kwon H
• Han Y
• Son DH
• Cho YP
• Kwon TW

• KMID: 2166900
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2015.89.4.224

Abstract

Aortic complications of giant cell arteritis are a rare cause of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Here, we describe a case of a ruptured aortic aneurysm in a patient with giant call arteritis (GCA) who was preoperatively suspected of having an infectious aortic aneurysm. Intraoperative inspection revealed infectious granulation tissue on the anterior wall of the abdominal aorta. GCA was finally confirmed by pathological diagnosis. Our findings suggest that the surgical and postoperative treatment of nonatheromatous aortic aneurysm should be based on accurate diagnosis.

Keyword

Giant cell arteritis; Aortic aneurysm; Aortitis

MeSH Terms

Aorta, Abdominal
Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal*
Aortic Rupture
Aortitis
Arteritis
Diagnosis
Giant Cell Arteritis*
Giant Cells*
Granulation Tissue
Humans

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Preoperative contrast enhanced computed tomography: (A) axial and (B) coronal views showing an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with evidence of an impending rupture and eccentric high attenuated mural thrombus.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Intraoperative findings revealing a ruptured aortic aneurysm with infectious granulation tissue on the anterior wall. (B) Fresh thrombosis could be seen during aneurismal sac dissection.

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  Fig. 3 Histopathologic analysis of the resected aneurismal sac (H&E staining). Arrows indicate intimal thickening and thrombosis leading to luminal narrowing, and inflammatory cell infiltration (A), consisting of mixed chronic inflammatory cells and occasional giant cells (circle) (B).

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