Aortic aneurysm rupture as a rare complication of granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a case report

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is characterized by systemic inflammation of medium and small blood vessels. Aortic involvement in granulomatosis with polyangiitis is extremely rare. As far as we know this is the first reported case of successful treatment in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis complicated with aortic aneurysm rupture. We describe a case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis in a 38-year-old Japanese man who developed an aortic aneurysm rupture 22 years after disease onset. The patient was operated on and a J-graft was inserted. He recovered uneventfully. Recommendations in regard to, and consideration of, aortic involvement should be kept in mind in the long-term careful follow up of granulomatosis with polyangiitis.