title: Idiopathic giant cell myocarditis--a distinctive clinico-pathological entity.
abstract: Eleven cases of idiopathic giant cell myocarditis are described, The pathological features are unmistakable with serpiginous areas of myocardial necrosis, at the margins of which giant cells can be seen on histological examination. The aetiology of the condition remains obscure but associated pathology suggests that altered immunity may be a factor. The rapid clinical course is, however, highly suggestive of an infective cause though none has been found.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001344:Autopsy; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D006644:Histiocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009210:Myofibrils / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009336:Necrosis; D013945:Thymoma / Q000150:complications; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification