Giant cell aortitis

Giant cell aortitis: symptoms, causes and treatment

Aortitis giant cell (AGC) is a rare disease that is characterized by inflammation of the wall of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. This disease is most common in older women, but can also occur in men.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of AGC include:

1. pain in the chest, back or stomach;
2. increased fatigue and weakness;
3. loss of appetite and weight loss;
4. increased body temperature;
5. loss of vision or double vision.

Causes

The causes of AGC are not yet known, but the disease is thought to be related to a disorder of the immune system. Some risk factors that may increase your chance of developing AGC include:

1. age over 50 years;
2. female;
3. the presence of other diseases associated with inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus.

Treatment

Treatment for AGC usually involves the use of hormonal medications, such as prednisone, to reduce inflammation in the aortic wall. Other medications, such as methotrexate, may also be used in combination with hormone therapy. However, if drug therapy does not work, surgery may be required to replace the affected part of the aorta.

In conclusion, giant cell aortitis is a serious condition that can lead to serious consequences, including aortic rupture. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor if you experience any symptoms associated with this disease in order to receive timely diagnosis and treatment.

Giant cell aortitis Etiology Giant cell aortopathy of unknown origin. Pathomorphologically, this disease is characterized by the formation of typical granulomatous infiltrates, mainly in the wall of identically hypertrophied “crescent” muscle fibers