Isolated Abdominal Aortitis Following a Urinary Tract Infection

A 49-year-old female with a history of sporadic episodes of scleritis was initially seen by her primary care physician (PCP) due to a two-day history of cramping abdominal pain, new elevated high blood pressure, increased urinary frequency, and urgency. The patient was diagnosed with an acute cystitis supported by a positive urine culture for a pan sensitive Escherichia coli; however, after two courses of antibiotics as an outpatient, her blood pressure (BP) remained markedly elevated, and her abdominal pain got worse which prompted a computed tomography (CT) abdomen and pelvis with contrast revealing inflammatory changes consistent with aortitis. The diagnosis was supported by a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) which showed wall thickening and enhancement extending for approximately 4.8 cm involving the abdominal aortic wall just prior to the bifurcation. An extensive work up including CTA, US doppler of four-limbs, and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) confirmed the isolated abdominal aortitis. After infectious etiologies were ruled out, the patient was started on prednisone 60 mg daily which resulted in marked improvement of her symptoms. After a four-month taper of steroids, the patient had complete resolution of her symptoms, with no signs of recurrence.