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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
06:35
An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
Published on: February 8, 2019
Isolated superior mesenteric artery vasculitis with response to glucocorticoids
Niveditha Mohan1, Mario N Gomes, Thomas R Cupps
1Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
Summary
This study details a patient with superior mesenteric artery vasculitis successfully treated with glucocorticoids. The findings highlight the positive prognosis of isolated gastrointestinal vasculitis, avoiding unnecessary cytotoxic therapies.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal vasculitis can present with abdominal pain.
- Vasculitis limited to the superior mesenteric artery is rare.
- Differentiating regional vasculitis is crucial for treatment decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of superior mesenteric artery vasculitis.
- To evaluate the efficacy of glucocorticoid therapy.
- To emphasize the importance of distinguishing isolated vasculitis.
Main Methods:
- Angiography to diagnose vasculitis of the superior mesenteric artery.
- Treatment with intravenous pulse glucocorticoids followed by oral glucocorticoids.
- Repeat angiography and surgical resection of residual aneurysm.
Main Results:
- Complete resolution of superior mesenteric artery vasculitis with glucocorticoid therapy.
- Histologic analysis showed no active vasculitis.
- A residual aneurysm was resected, with no underlying connective tissue disorder found.
Conclusions:
- Glucocorticoids alone can achieve complete clinical and radiological resolution in superior mesenteric artery vasculitis.
- Isolated or regional gastrointestinal vasculitis has an excellent prognosis.
- Avoiding cytotoxic therapy is important due to potential toxicities.
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