Porcelain Aorta: A Case Report and a Review of Literature with Especial Focus on Tuberculosis Aortitis

A 36 years old woman with a history of treated pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was hospitalized for progressively worsening dyspnea on exertion. She had severe calcification of entire aorta and evidence of old TB on chest roentgenogram. Routine laboratory tests including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were normal and rheumatologic panel was negative. Echocardiography showed severe aortic insufficiency. Work-up for active tuberculosis was negative. The CT scan of the chest was in favor of old tuberculosis and also showed heavily calcified aorta. She underwent aortic valve replacement. Postoperative course was uneventful. At four-year follow-up the patient is doing well. Considering her age and the absence of risk factors of atherosclerosis we postulated that porcelain aorta in this patient could be a sequel of remote tuberculosis aortitis.