Fatal idiopathic giant cell myocarditis in a young male: a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma in a resource-limited setting

Idiopathic giant cell myocarditis (IGCM) is a rare and rapidly progressive form of myocarditis characterised by severe myocardial inflammation, rapid deterioration and high mortality without timely intervention. We report a fatal case of a 15-year-old boy who presented with worsening dyspnoea and s...

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Main Authors: N. M. M. Risly, I. K. Jayasinghe, N. Athauda, V. D. Wijekoon, P. D. Fonseka, J. F. Sahana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sri Lanka College of Internal Medicine 2025-08-01
Series:Asian Journal of Internal Medicine
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Online Access:https://account.ajim.sljol.info/index.php/sljo-j-ajim/article/view/266
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author N. M. M. Risly
I. K. Jayasinghe
N. Athauda
V. D. Wijekoon
P. D. Fonseka
J. F. Sahana
author_facet N. M. M. Risly
I. K. Jayasinghe
N. Athauda
V. D. Wijekoon
P. D. Fonseka
J. F. Sahana
author_sort N. M. M. Risly
collection DOAJ
description Idiopathic giant cell myocarditis (IGCM) is a rare and rapidly progressive form of myocarditis characterised by severe myocardial inflammation, rapid deterioration and high mortality without timely intervention. We report a fatal case of a 15-year-old boy who presented with worsening dyspnoea and signs of congestive cardiac failure which rapidly progressed to cardiogenic shock. Extensive investigations including imaging, biopsies, viral and autoimmune panels excluded other potential aetiologies such as infiltrative cardiomyopathies, cardiac sarcoidosis, lymphocytic myocarditis and lymphomas. Due to the unavailability of confirmatory endomyocardial biopsy, a clinical diagnosis of IGCM was made, and immunosuppressive therapy was initiated. Despite aggressive management, the patient succumbed to the disease due to refractory heart failure and fatal arrhythmia. This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of IGCM, particularly in resource-limited settings, and the importance of considering IGCM in cases of fulminant myocarditis with rapid progression. Early diagnosis and advanced modalities of treatment are crucial to improve outcomes in this life-threatening condition.
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issn 2827-7260
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Sri Lanka College of Internal Medicine
record_format Article
series Asian Journal of Internal Medicine
spelling doaj-art-0750ffb1ebba48c3abd391a3d14e1ef32025-08-20T03:03:38ZengSri Lanka College of Internal MedicineAsian Journal of Internal Medicine2827-72602025-08-014210.4038/ajim.v4i2.266Fatal idiopathic giant cell myocarditis in a young male: a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma in a resource-limited settingN. M. M. Risly0https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4743-5034I. K. Jayasinghe1N. Athauda2V. D. Wijekoon3P. D. Fonseka4J. F. Sahana5National Hospital KandyNational Hospital KandyNational Hospital KandyNational Hospital KandyNational Hospital KandyTeaching Hospital Peradeniya Idiopathic giant cell myocarditis (IGCM) is a rare and rapidly progressive form of myocarditis characterised by severe myocardial inflammation, rapid deterioration and high mortality without timely intervention. We report a fatal case of a 15-year-old boy who presented with worsening dyspnoea and signs of congestive cardiac failure which rapidly progressed to cardiogenic shock. Extensive investigations including imaging, biopsies, viral and autoimmune panels excluded other potential aetiologies such as infiltrative cardiomyopathies, cardiac sarcoidosis, lymphocytic myocarditis and lymphomas. Due to the unavailability of confirmatory endomyocardial biopsy, a clinical diagnosis of IGCM was made, and immunosuppressive therapy was initiated. Despite aggressive management, the patient succumbed to the disease due to refractory heart failure and fatal arrhythmia. This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of IGCM, particularly in resource-limited settings, and the importance of considering IGCM in cases of fulminant myocarditis with rapid progression. Early diagnosis and advanced modalities of treatment are crucial to improve outcomes in this life-threatening condition. https://account.ajim.sljol.info/index.php/sljo-j-ajim/article/view/266Idiopathic giant cell myocarditisFulminant myocarditis
spellingShingle N. M. M. Risly
I. K. Jayasinghe
N. Athauda
V. D. Wijekoon
P. D. Fonseka
J. F. Sahana
Fatal idiopathic giant cell myocarditis in a young male: a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma in a resource-limited setting
Asian Journal of Internal Medicine
Idiopathic giant cell myocarditis
Fulminant myocarditis
title Fatal idiopathic giant cell myocarditis in a young male: a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma in a resource-limited setting
title_full Fatal idiopathic giant cell myocarditis in a young male: a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma in a resource-limited setting
title_fullStr Fatal idiopathic giant cell myocarditis in a young male: a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma in a resource-limited setting
title_full_unstemmed Fatal idiopathic giant cell myocarditis in a young male: a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma in a resource-limited setting
title_short Fatal idiopathic giant cell myocarditis in a young male: a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma in a resource-limited setting
title_sort fatal idiopathic giant cell myocarditis in a young male a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma in a resource limited setting
topic Idiopathic giant cell myocarditis
Fulminant myocarditis
url https://account.ajim.sljol.info/index.php/sljo-j-ajim/article/view/266
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