Giant Cell Arteritis

Question 1

What is the typical presentation of giant cell arteritis

Answer 1

• age 50yrs +
• jaw claudication
• tender temporal arteries

Question 2

What is the main opthalmic risk with giant cell arteritis?

Answer 2

• retinal ischaemia due to occlusion of artery

- if central retinal artery affected then inner two thirds of retina will undergo ischaemic degeneration.

Question 3

What are the symptoms of giant cell arteritis?

Answer 3

• headache
• temporal artery and scalp tenderness (e.g. when combing hair)
• jaw claudication
• amaurosis fugax (painless temporary loss of vision in one or both eyes)
• sudden blindness usually in one eye.

Question 4

What is the management of giant cell arteritis?

Answer 4

IMMEDIATE ACTION if GCA suspected:

- prednisolone 60mg/day orally

Question 5

What invx are done for giant cell arteritis?

Answer 5

• ESR and CRP
• raised platelets
• raised alk phos
• low Hb
• temporal artery biopsy (but skip lesions do occur)