[Involvement of thoracic aorta revealing temporal arteritis. Three cases]

Rev Med Interne. 2004 Feb;25(2):141-6. doi: 10.1016/j.revmed.2003.09.008.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Introduction: Temporal arteritis involves large vessels in 15% of cases. Their discovery is usually late, commonly several years after the diagnosis.

Exegesis: We describe three cases of temporal arteritis with thoracic aorta involvement: two patients presented with aorta aneurysm which revealed temporal arteritis, one patient had aortic insufficiency. Clinical features of temporal arteritis were absent in two patients. Temporal artery biopsy, performed in two cases, was positive. Two patients were treated with corticosteroids, associated in one case with immunosuppressive agent. Surgery was necessary in all patients.

Conclusion: Thoracic aorta involvement in Horton's disease is most often discovered when corticotherapy is decreased. Aneurysm rupture or aortic dissection in aortic affection are the major complication. Patient with thoracic aorta involvement need a clinical and radiological follow up over long period.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Aged
  • Aorta, Thoracic / pathology*
  • Aortic Aneurysm / etiology*
  • Aortic Aneurysm / pathology
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / etiology*
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / complications*
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / diagnosis*
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / surgery
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Immunosuppressive Agents