Aortitis overview: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Aortitis is the [[inflammation]] of the aortic wall. The disorder is potentially life-threatening and rare. It is reported that there are only 1-3 new cases of aortitis per year per million people in the United States and Europe | Aortitis is the [[inflammation]] of the aortic wall. The disorder is potentially life-threatening and rare. It is reported that there are only 1-3 new cases of aortitis per year per million people in the United States and Europe<ref name="eMedicineMed158" />. Aortitis is found in a wide range of ages spanning from 10 to 40 years of age. | ||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
This [[inflammation]] has a number of possible causes, including [[Physical trauma|trauma]], [[virus|viral]] infection, certain [[immune disorder]]s, and [[bacterial]] infection (notably, [[syphilitic aortitis|syphilis]]) | This [[inflammation]] has a number of possible causes, including [[Physical trauma|trauma]], [[virus|viral]] infection, certain [[immune disorder]]s, and [[bacterial]] infection (notably, [[syphilitic aortitis|syphilis]])<ref name="eMedicineMed158">{{cite web |url=http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic158.htm |title=eMedicine - Aortitis : Article by Masato Okada, MD, FACP, FACR, FAAAAI |accessdate=2007-07-28 |work=| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070714224435/http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic158.htm| archivedate= 14 July 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>. | ||
Causes are associated with infections or immune and connective tissue disorders. Aortitis is most commonly seen in patients with syphilis, autoimmune vasculitis, giant cell arteritis, Takayasu’s arteritis, and rheumatoid arthritis | Causes are associated with infections or immune and connective tissue disorders. Aortitis is most commonly seen in patients with syphilis, autoimmune vasculitis, giant cell arteritis, Takayasu’s arteritis, and rheumatoid arthritis<ref name="Aortitis">[Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. 19th ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis, 2001.]</ref>. There is a wide range of symptoms that are dependent on the location of the aortic inflammation or associated disorder. A few symptoms recognized in patients are fever, chills, myalgias (muscle pain), and malaise (general discomfort)<ref name="Aortitis" />. In addition, hypertension (high blood pressure) may occur. Hypertension happens when the retinal artery narrows and elasticity of the aorta and branches decrease<ref name="Aortic Diseases">[http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/117/23/3039.full Link text], American Heart Association.</ref>. | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
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==Prognosis== | ==Prognosis== | ||
If untreated, has three distinct phases | If untreated, has three distinct phases<ref name="eMedicineMed158" />. A prepulseless inflammatory stat. Phase two includes vascular inflammation with pain secondary to the condition, along with tenderness to palpation over the site. Last phase includes symptoms of [[ischemia]] and pain associated with the use of limbs. Limbs are also cool and clammy in this stage. | ||
==References== | ==References== |
Revision as of 13:30, 12 August 2013
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]
Overview
Aortitis is the inflammation of the aortic wall. The disorder is potentially life-threatening and rare. It is reported that there are only 1-3 new cases of aortitis per year per million people in the United States and Europe[1]. Aortitis is found in a wide range of ages spanning from 10 to 40 years of age.
Causes
This inflammation has a number of possible causes, including trauma, viral infection, certain immune disorders, and bacterial infection (notably, syphilis)[1].
Causes are associated with infections or immune and connective tissue disorders. Aortitis is most commonly seen in patients with syphilis, autoimmune vasculitis, giant cell arteritis, Takayasu’s arteritis, and rheumatoid arthritis[2]. There is a wide range of symptoms that are dependent on the location of the aortic inflammation or associated disorder. A few symptoms recognized in patients are fever, chills, myalgias (muscle pain), and malaise (general discomfort)[2]. In addition, hypertension (high blood pressure) may occur. Hypertension happens when the retinal artery narrows and elasticity of the aorta and branches decrease[3].
Treatment
Management appears to include the following treatment priorities; stop the inflammation, treat complications, prevent and monitor for re-occurrence.
Prognosis
If untreated, has three distinct phases[1]. A prepulseless inflammatory stat. Phase two includes vascular inflammation with pain secondary to the condition, along with tenderness to palpation over the site. Last phase includes symptoms of ischemia and pain associated with the use of limbs. Limbs are also cool and clammy in this stage.