Noninfectious ascending aortitis is a very rare cause of ascending aortic aneurysm. We report a case of the truly fortuitous finding of this rare condition in a 67-year-old man operated on for an ascending aortic aneurysm associated with dystrophic aortic valve regurgitation. Intraoperative inspection revealed dissection of the aorta just above the left main coronary artery. A modified Bentall operation was performed. The pathological diagnosis was giant cell arteritis.
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WangHSmithRNSpoonerAE. Giant cell aortitis of the ascending aorta without signs or symptoms of systemic vasculitis is associated with elevated risk of distal aortic events. Arthritis Rheum2012; 64: 317–319.
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BlumsteinHDubin KerrLFallonJT. Giant cell aortitis with histopathologic and clinical response to steroid therapy: a case report. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg2006; 132: 1467–1468.
