Giant Cell Arteritis Flashcards
1
Q
What is GCA?
A
A vasculitis which affects medium and large-sized vessel arteries
2
Q
What causes GCA?
A
- Female
- 50 years +
- Genetic predisposition
- More common in North European (Scandinavian)
3
Q
How does GCA present?
A
- Rapid onset
- Headache
- Jaw claudication
- Tender, palpable temporal artery
- Features of Polymyalgia: Aching, morning stiffness
- Lethargy, low grade fever
- Can have visual loss
4
Q
How is GCA investigated?
A
- Bloods: raised ESR
- Temporal artery US scan/Biopsy
- Vision testing
5
Q
How is GCA managed?
A
- High dose prednisolone should be used as soon as diagnosis is suspected
- Urgent ophthalmology review
- Bisphosphonates for bone protection
6
Q
What are complications of GCA?
A
- Irreversible visual loss (anterior optic ischaemic neuropathy)
- Stroke
- Aortic aneurys/dissection
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
7
Q
What will you see on fundoscopy with anterior optic ischaemic neuropathy?
A
swollen pale disc and blurred margins
