Giant Cell Arteritis Flashcards
Giant cell arteritis is a type of l___ v_____ v____
large vessel vasculitis
How does giant cell arteritis typically present?
Unilateral, intermittent jaw claudication
Severe cases of giant cell arteritis may have what symptom?
Amaurosis Fugax (transient vision loss in one eye)
What group of individuals are most likely to have giant cell arteritis?
Caucasian females over 50 y/o
How do you diagnose giant cell arteritis?
Temporal artery biopsy (need a big sample as many skip lesions)
Raised ESR and CRP
Normocystic normochromic anaemia (of chronic disease)
What would a temporal artery biopsy show in giant cell arteritis?
Multinucleated giant cells
Granulomatous non-caseating inflammation of intima and media with skip lesions
How do you treat giant cell arteritis?
Corticosteroids (prednisolone)
If any signs of amaurosis fugax: give a high dose of IV methylprednisolone stat.
What other medication may be given whilst giant cell arteritis is being treated with prednisolone (steroid protection)?
PPI for gastroprotection while on steroids
Bisphosphonates and calcium and vitamin D for bone protection whilst on steroids.
When is treatment for giant cell arteritis started?
Immediately, before confirming diagnosis to reduce risk of vision loss.
What other condition is strongly linked to giant cell arteritis?
Polymyalgia rheumatica (shoulder and pelvic girdle pain and stiffness) - around 50% patients who have GCA have this condition too.
What is a key complication of giant cell arteritis?
Vision loss, often irreversible
What are symptoms of giant cell arteritis?
Unilateral headache
Jaw claudication
Scalp tenderness
Blurred or double vision
Loss of vision
In giant cell arteritis, the t_____ a___ may be tender and thickened to palpitation with reduced or absent p____
temporal artery
pulsation
What would a Duplex ultrasound show in giant cell arteritis?
Hypoechoic “halo” sign and stenosis of the temporal artery
