Case Report
Volume: 4 | Issue: 5 | Published: Jun 07, 2020 | Pages: 149 - 151 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr/173-1558113081
A case report of pericardial effusion in giant cell arteritis
Authors: Fotis Konstantinou , Natalia Vallianou , Victoria Gennimata , Angelos Konstantinou , Evangelos Kokkinakis
Article Info
Authors
Fotis Konstantinou
First Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Natalia Vallianou
First Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Victoria Gennimata
First Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Angelos Konstantinou
First Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Evangelos Kokkinakis
First Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Publication History
Received: May 17, 2019
Accepted: May 18, 2020
Published: June 07, 2020
Abstract
Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an immunologic disorder affecting large and medium size vessels, especially focusing on the external branches of the aorta. The most commonly affected vessel is the temporal artery, and it usually presents with headache in elderly patients. The participation of other vessels, such as the aorta, can result in serious, life-threatening complications. Case presentation: We present the case of a patient admitted to our hospital, diagnosed with GCA and pericardial effusion, which is a rare combination, with only a few case reports in the literature. Conclusion: Pericardial effusion in the context of GCA is rare but it can be dangerous, and by presenting such a case, we want to underline the importance of checking for extracranial involvement when GCA is suspected.
Keywords: Case report, giant cell arteritis, temporal arteritis, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, heart, green
