DOI: 10.12890/2022_003585

Aortitis Secondary to Cogan’s Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Fever of Unknown Origin

Authors

  • Maria Margarida Rosado Serviço de Medicina 3, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve - Unidade Hospitalar de Portimão, Portimão, Portugal
  • Cláudia Queirós Serviço de Medicina 3, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve - Unidade Hospitalar de Portimão, Portimão, Portugal
  • Vanda Conceição Serviço de Medicina 3, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve - Unidade Hospitalar de Portimão, Portimão, Portugal
  • Nuno Bernardino Vieira Serviço de Medicina 3, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve - Unidade Hospitalar de Portimão, Portimão, Portugal
  • Luísa Arez Serviço de Medicina 3, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve - Unidade Hospitalar de Portimão, Portimão, Portugal

mmargaridasr@gmail.com

Keywords

Aortitis, Cogan’s syndrome, fever of unknown origin

Abstract

Fever of unknown origin remains a diagnostic challenge. Aortitis, defined as inflammation of the aorta, has multiple infectious and non-infectious causes.<br/>
We report the case of an elderly woman with vertigo and bilateral hearing loss, presenting with fever of unknown origin. Blood tests were remarkable for leucocytosis with neutrophilia, elevation of C-reactive protein and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and positive antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor, and an unremarkable search for multiple infectious causes of fever. During admission the patient developed a bilateral red eye. Abdominal and chest computed tomography was performed and demonstrated signs of aortitis.
Due to the coexistence of aortitis, ocular inflammation, vertigo and bilateral hearing loss in a patient with persistent fever and elevation of inflammatory parameters, a presumptive diagnosis of Cogan’s syndrome was made, with improvement after initiation of steroid therapy.

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References

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Published

2022-10-05

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 10 (2022)

How to Cite

1.
Rosado MM, Queirós C, Conceição V, Vieira NB, Arez L. Aortitis Secondary to Cogan’s Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Fever of Unknown Origin. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2022 Oct. 5 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];9(10). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/3585