Giant cell arteritis (briefly)

Microscopic view of a Giant cell arteritis.

Giant-cell (temporal) vasculitis is a vasculitis of an unknown origin affecting a. carotis externa and interna in individuals over 50 years, more women.

Clinical picture

• gradual development of general symptoms - weakness, fever, weight loss
• headaches, vision disorders, maxillary claudication
• attenuation of heart rate + palpation sensitivity/redness of palpable nodules at temporal arteries
• peripheral polyneuropathy may also occur within the disease, mononeuritis multiplex

Treatment

• glucocorticoids in invasive doses ½–1 mg/kg with gradual decrease
• occurs in connection with rheumatic polymyalgia (unclear etiology, in elderly patients, pain and stiffness of the muscles of the brachial + pelvic girdle, general symptoms may occur)