title: [Giant cell arteritis and aortic dissection in 2 siblings].
abstract: We present the case of two female siblings with temporal arteritis, polymyalgia and type B aortic dissection. Aortic aneurysms in families are well known in Marfan's and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; they can, however, occur without signs of a collagen disorder. In patients with arteritis temporalis the incidence of aortic aneurysms is higher than normal. In a retrospective survey of 20,591 autopsies there were 443 aortic aneurysms (2%), 30 (7%) being a consequence of arteritis. Arteritic processes caused 15% of the thoracic and 5% of the abdominal aneurysms. This is the first description of temporal arteritis, polymyalgia and aortic dissection in siblings. The observation illustrates the danger of aneurysmatic aortic dilatation and/or dissection at a later or chronic stage of arteritis.
authors.affiliation: Department für Innere Medizin, Universitätsspital Zürich.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thurnheer
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salomon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000150:complications*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000150:complications; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011241:Prednisone
vernacular_title: Riesenzellarteriitis und Aortendissektion bei einem Geschwisterpaar.