Aortitis after G-CSF injections

Introduction.-Aortitis consists in aortic wall inflammation from infectious or non infectious cause. It may lead to aortic aneurysm with a risk of rupture. which is life-threatening and may justify surgical procedures. The cause of the aortitis is sometimes obscure. Case report.-We report the case of a 55 years old woman who developed acute aortitis of the descending aorta after G-CSF (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) injections for blood stem cells graft. No cause was found to the aortitis, the evolution was favorable after corticosteroid treatment, without aneurysm at six months. Conclusion.-The present case rises the question of G-CSF (Neupogen(R)) responsibility in aortic lesions. Neutrophilic mediated diseases (Sweet's syndrome, pyoderma gangrenosum) and leukocytoclastic vasculitis were reported after G-CSF therapy. Neutrophils induced by G-CSF injections present functional abnormalities which may play a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. (C) 2003 Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves.