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Pathology

Systemic vasculitis affecting medium and large arteries
Pathogenesis involves a chronic inflammatory process, predominantly of large arteries, resulting in the elaboration of various cytokines

Aetiology

Giant cell arteritis is commonly associated with polymyalgia rheumatica.
Mostly aged >50 years, female>male

Signs

Tenderness over temporal arteries, reduced visual acuity,  

Symptoms

Headache, scalp tenderness, sudden blindness in one eye, fatigue, weight loss, 
fever, jaw claudication 

Investigations

Bloods: ESR 
Temporal Artery Biopsy: Histology shows inflammatory infiltrate involving the 
entire vessel wall

Treatment

Medical: High doses corticosteroids 
Maintain high-dose steroid therapy only long enough for symptoms to    
resolve and then taper to a maintenance dosage over several months

Prognosis

Relapse is common 
Blindness, aortitis, aortic dissection, aortic aneurysm

Key Facts

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Key Images

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Key References

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