Aortitis

Question 1

What is the cause of aortitis

Answer 1

Vasculitides: Takayasu’s arteritis, giant cell arteritis or rheumatoid
arthritis
Inflammatory process: Occlusion in major and medium branches of aorta

Question 2

s/s of aortitis

Answer 2

Fever, malaise, weight loss
Bruit audible over subclavian, brachial and carotid arteries.
Upper extremity claudication, cerebral ischemia and syncope
Elevated ESR and CRP

Question 3

Diagnostic for aortitis

Answer 3

MRA or CTA to evaluate arterial lumen
Narrowing of aorta and/or primary branches

Question 4

Aortitis treatment plan

Answer 4

Progressive and no definitive therapy
Glucocorticoids & immunosuppressive agents
Surgical bypass or endovascular intervention
Critically stenotic artery may be necessary

Question 5

What infections can cause aortitis

Answer 5

Syphilis, tuberculosis, Salmonella, Staphylococcus or
Streptococcus
Retroperitoneal fibrosis
Infecting the aorta atherosclerotic plaque sites

Question 6

s/s of infectious aortitis

Answer 6

Preceding diarrheal illness
Acute & chronic inflammation
Abscesses
Hemorrhage
Necrosis
Fever, sepsis, chest back or abdominal pain

Question 7

Diagnostics for infectious aortitis

Answer 7

Blood cultures
Both CT and MRI

Question 8

Treatment plan for infectious aortic

Answer 8

Antibiotic therapy
Surgical removal of infected\
Revascularization of lower extremities