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Giant cell arteritis complicated by acute pancreatitis: a case report
Deepthi Renuka Seneviratne1, Susan P Mollan, Samer Elsherbiny
1Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK. deepthisen@hotmail.com
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|November 19, 2008
Summary
High-dose systemic corticosteroids, used to treat giant cell arteritis, can rarely cause acute pancreatitis. This case highlights a potentially life-threatening side effect of steroid treatment.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis affecting medium to large arteries.
- Systemic corticosteroids are the mainstay of GCA treatment.
- Acute pancreatitis is a serious inflammation of the pancreas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of acute pancreatitis developing in a patient with GCA treated with high-dose corticosteroids.
- To highlight the potential gastrointestinal side effects of corticosteroid therapy.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 78-year-old woman diagnosed with GCA.
- Treatment involved high-dose pulsed intravenous and oral corticosteroids.
- Monitoring for adverse effects during treatment.
Main Results:
- The patient developed acute pancreatitis on day 8 of corticosteroid therapy.
- The pancreatitis presented with epigastric pain and vomiting.
- The patient required conservative management for pancreatitis.
Conclusions:
- Acute pancreatitis is a rare but significant adverse event associated with systemic corticosteroid use.
- Clinicians should be vigilant for signs of pancreatitis in patients receiving high-dose steroids.
- Early recognition and management are crucial for this potentially life-threatening condition.
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