Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2025
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
7.3K
Abdominal Pain in a Patient With Giant Cell Arteritis
Tharani Sundararajan1, Krati Chauhan1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, USA.
Cureus
|May 18, 2022
Summary
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients on corticosteroids may present with subtle acute abdominal symptoms. Early suspicion is crucial, as steroids can mask severe complications like perforated diverticulitis.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Gastroenterology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large vessel vasculitis predominantly affecting the elderly.
- Corticosteroid therapy is the mainstay for GCA treatment but carries significant adverse effects.
- Adverse effects include increased infection risk and intestinal diverticular perforation.
Observation:
- A unique case of a 71-year-old female patient with GCA on corticosteroids is presented.
- The patient exhibited subtle symptoms of an acute abdomen during a routine follow-up.
- Diagnostic workup identified perforated diverticulitis and a urinary tract infection.
Findings:
- The patient's presentation highlights the challenge of diagnosing acute abdominal conditions in GCA patients on corticosteroids.
- Corticosteroids can mask or attenuate typical symptoms of severe intra-abdominal pathology.
- Elderly patients on long-term steroids may present with atypical or vague symptoms.
Implications:
- Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for acute abdominal emergencies in GCA patients, even with subtle presentations.
- Awareness of corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression and symptom masking is critical for timely diagnosis.
- Prompt recognition and management are essential to prevent severe morbidity and mortality associated with complications like perforated diverticulitis.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
36
Thoracic, aortic arch and abdominal aneurysms are significant vascular conditions that can present with various clinical manifestations and lead to serious complications. Understanding these manifestations and the appropriate diagnostic studies is essential for effective management and treatment.Thoracic Aortic AneurysmsThoracic aortic aneurysms often remain asymptomatic until they reach a size that impinges on adjacent structures. They typically cause deep, diffuse chest pain that radiates to...
36
01:22Appendicitis-I: Introduction
684
The appendix, a small, narrow, blind tube extending from the inferior part of the cecum, is widely regarded as a vestigial organ, having lost much of its original function through evolution. Despite its diminished role, the appendix can become inflamed, a condition known as appendicitis.
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
684
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
177
The pancreas, an elongated and flat gland situated behind the stomach, serves a vital function in digesting food and managing blood sugar levels.
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
177
01:30Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
187
Acute pancreatitis presents a complex medical emergency characterized by rapid onset inflammation of the pancreas, demanding timely diagnosis and management to prevent complications. The condition primarily manifests through severe upper abdominal pain that often radiates to the back. This pain intensifies following the consumption of fatty foods. Accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, fever, dyspnea, cyanosis, and jaundice can vary in intensity but significantly...
187
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
410
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
410
01:19Abdominal Regions and Quadrants
12.8K
To promote clear communication, for instance, about the location of a patient's abdominal pain or a suspicious mass, anatomists and clinicians typically use imaginary lines to categorize the abdominopelvic cavity into either four quadrants or nine regions to identify organs in the cavity.
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four...
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four...
12.8K