Giant Cell Arteritis Flashcards
1
Q
What is giant cell arteritis?
A
Type of vasculitis
- Inflammatory disorder of blood vessel walls
- Usually immune mediated
2
Q
What is affected in giant cell arteritis?
A
Large cells in blood vessel walls
- Carotid
- Facial
- Opthalmic
- TEMPORAL
3
Q
What are the symptoms of giant cell arteritis?
A
Suspect in any >50 with new headache
Temporal artery
- Scalp tenderness
- Headache
Opthalmic
- Amaurosis fugax
Facial
- Jaw claudication
4
Q
What is amaurosis fugax?
A
Sudden transient loss of vision
Amaurosis (greek) = darkness
Fugax (latin) = fleeting
5
Q
Tests?
A
Rule out other headaches
Bloods
- Temporal artery biopsy
6
Q
Blood test findings?
A
ESR very raised
CRP raised
Platelets raised
Low haemoglobin
7
Q
Pharma treatment?
A
Prednisolone
- Reduce it slowly
8
Q
Complication of GCA?
A
Permanent loss of vision
- Osteoporosis from the steroids
