Rheumatology 9 - Giant Cell Arteritis

Question 1

define giant cell arteritis

Answer 1

systemic vasculitis of medium + large arteries

usually affect temoporal arteries

assoc with PMR

Question 2

symptoms of temporal artertis

Answer 2

severe unilateral headache
scalp tenderness
jaw claudication
blurred/double vision

irreversible painless sight loss!!

may have systemic signs too

Question 3

diagnosing temporal arteritis

Answer 3

clinical features
raised ESR
temporal artery biopsy

Question 4

findings in temporal artery biopsy for GCA

Answer 4

multinuleated giant cells

Question 5

duplex ultrasound temporal artery GCA

Answer 5

hypoechoic halo sign

Question 6

management of temporal arteritis

Answer 6

immediate high dose steroids 60mg

review response in 48 hrs

withdraw if inv negative / no response in symptoms

also 75mg aspirin OD
PPIs OD

Question 7

teams involved with GCA

Answer 7

vascular surgeon - temporal artery biopsy
rheum
ophthalmology same day appt emergency

Question 8

complications of giant cell arteritis

Answer 8

vision loss
stroke

relapse
steroid side effects
aortitis - aneurysm, dissection