Infectious aortitis: a rare cause of chest pain in a child

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2011 Jul;27(7):654-6. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e318222561f.

Abstract

Infectious aortitis (IA) is a life-threatening bacterial infection that occurs almost exclusively in adults. Only 1 case of IA had been previously reported in a child. We present a case of IA that occurred in a 6.5-year-old previously healthy girl who was seen in our emergency department because of fever and chest pain of immediate onset. She underwent a thorough evaluation but died of aortic rupture before the correct diagnosis was established. The etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of IA are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aorta, Thoracic / pathology
  • Aortic Rupture / etiology
  • Aortitis / complications*
  • Aortitis / diagnosis
  • Cefuroxime / therapeutic use
  • Chest Pain / etiology*
  • Child
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Mediastinum / diagnostic imaging
  • Mediastinum / pathology
  • Radiography
  • Thoracotomy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cefuroxime