Whaba notes: general principles Flashcards
Giant cell arteritis is MC in patients of what age?
> 50
Describe the path findings of giant cell arteritis
Granulomatous inflammatory changes w/ giant cells @ branches of ECA. Vessels show narrowing of the lumen (may be occluded by thrombus)
Which branch of the external carotid is especially involved in giant cell arteritis?
Superficial temporal artery
How does giant cell arteritis typically present?
- HA that may localize to temples
- Scalp tenderness
- Pain w/ chewing
- Intermittent jaw claudication
- Constitutional Sx
- Vision loss
Transient vision loss in giant cell arteritis is significant because it conveys what risk?
Incr risk permanent vision loss
A generalized arteritis a/w giant cell arteritis can hit what 3 areas?
Liver
PN (?)
Intracranial vessels (–> stroke)
3 abnormal lab findings seen w/ temporal arteritis?
Elevated LFTs
Elevated ESR
Normocytic normochromic anemia
Why is Bx sometimes neg in temporal arteritis?
Skip lesions
Acute tx of giant cell arteritis?
IV hydrocortisone
How soon should you expect response in giant cell arteritis?
Responds well w/in 1-2 days
What 2 things should you base your taper on in giant cell arteritis?
Sx
ESR
How long do you normally have to treat giant cell arteritis?
18 mo- 2 yr
What disorder is strongly a/w giant cell arteritis?
Polymyalgia rheumatica
What are 3 major features of polymyalgia rheumatica, and what is one key difference from giant cell arteritis?
Girdle pains, morning stiffness, constitutional sx
No cranial Sx
