Drug-induced aortitis in a patient with ovarian cancer treated with bevacizumab combination therapy

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Oct;57(5):750-752. doi: 10.1016/j.tjog.2018.08.026.

Abstract

Objective: To review and evaluate drug-induced vasculitis, which is an extremely rare complication of chemotherapy.

Case report: A 47-year-old woman with ovarian cancer developed aortitis during bevacizumab combination chemotherapy. Contract-enhanced CT showed concentric thickening of the descending aorta. Antibiotics were administered, but a repeat CE-CT scan showed no resolution of the aortitis. To treat the aortitis, she was started on oral prednisolone. A subsequent CE-CT scan showed no signs of aortitis. She was thus re-started on a modified chemotherapy regimen.

Conclusion: Aortitis should be considered in patients receiving bevacizumab combination therapy who develop persistent fever and upper-abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced CT is useful for detecting drug-induced aortitis.

Keywords: Aortitis; Bevacizumab; G-CSF; Ovarian cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Aortitis / chemically induced*
  • Aortitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortitis / drug therapy
  • Bevacizumab / adverse effects*
  • Contrast Media
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Contrast Media
  • Bevacizumab
  • Prednisolone