Fever of unknown origin, giant cell arteritis, and aortic dissection

Z Rheumatol. 2017 Feb;76(1):83-86. doi: 10.1007/s00393-016-0245-5.

Abstract

Giant cell arteritis is one of the most frequent causes of pyrexia of unknown origin after infectious or malignant causes have been ruled out. In this case report we describe a 66-year old female patient, who after five weeks of remitting fever developed a life-threatening, painless severe aortic dissection. The timely use of modern imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance angiography or positron emission computed tomography could in the future be of help to recognize aortic involvement early and to avoid this devastating complication in patients with fever of unknown origin.

Keywords: Aortic dissection; Aortitis; Giant cell; Pyrexia of unknown origin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aortic Aneurysm / complications*
  • Aortic Aneurysm / diagnosis*
  • Aortic Dissection / complications*
  • Aortic Dissection / diagnosis*
  • Aortic Dissection / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fever of Unknown Origin / diagnosis
  • Fever of Unknown Origin / etiology*
  • Fever of Unknown Origin / therapy
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / complications*
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / diagnosis*
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / surgery
  • Humans
  • Treatment Outcome