Giant-Cell Myocarditis With Multiple Organ Involvement

SINCE the first description of giant-cell myocarditis in 1905 by Saltykow, 21 additional cases have been reported in the English literature through 1963.¹⁻⁹It is the purpose of this paper to record a case having multiple organ involvement and to emphasize the giant-cell arteritis seen in the myocardium. Report of a Case The present illness of this 36-year-old white female began on Sept 1, 1961, with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. She improved with supportive and symptomatic treatment until Sept 3, when she experienced a sudden onset of dyspnea and tachycardia with an apical rate of more than 200 beats per minute. Orthopnea and cyanosis then ensued and she entered Indianapolis Methodist Hospital in a critical state. Physical examination revealed cyanosis, difficulty in breathing, gallop rhythm, and shock. She died in refractory congestive heart failure 16 hours after entering the hospital. A thyroidectomy was performed at age 15 years because