Large Cell Vasculitis Flashcards
1
Q
what is it
A
granulomatous infiltration of the walls of large vessels
2
Q
what are the two causes
A
takayasu arteritis (TA) giant cell arteritis (GCA)
3
Q
what is TA and who is it more common in
A
granulomatous inflammation of the aorta and its major branches
<40 years, females, asian population
4
Q
what is GCA and who is it more common in
A
typically causes temporal arteritis but aorta and other large vessels may be affected
>50
5
Q
what are symptoms
A
bruit (most common = carotid artery)
blood pressure difference of extremities
claudication
6
Q
how is it diagnosis
A
bloods = ESR, plasma viscosity and CRP raised
temporal artery biopsy (remembers skip lesions occur so biopsy may be negative)
MR angiogram or PET CT
7
Q
how is it treated
A
40-60mg prednisolone (18-24 months)
steroid sparing agents (immunosuppression) may be considered
