An Unusual Presentation of Giant Cell Arteritis

Siddhesh Prabhavalkar,Reena Merard,Mark Gormley,Pawel Bogusz

doi:10.1155/2012/498174

Siddhesh Prabhavalkar, Reena Merard + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/498174

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Abstract

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic vasculitis that typically presents with headache, fever and polymyalgia although atypical presentations are known. We present a case of GCA with nonproductive cough and pyrexia of unknown origin emphasizing this atypical nature of presentation. We report a rare association of GCA with granulomatous hepatitis. We also support the use of PET scanning in diagnosing and monitoring this condition.

Highlights

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic granulomatous vasculitis affecting large and medium-sized arteries [1]
We report an unusual presentation of GCA with nonproductive cough, pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO), and in the absence of typical symptoms of GCA or a diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)
A 60-year-old female presented with 4-week history initially of dry cough and night sweats with subsequent nausea and weight loss

Summary

Introduction

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic granulomatous vasculitis affecting large and medium-sized arteries [1]. Typical clinical features may include fever, headache, jaw claudication, palpable and tender temporal arteries, symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), visual disturbance, and raised serologic inflammatory markers such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP) [2]. In the absence of typical signs and symptoms, diagnosis becomes difficult, increasing the risk of severe complications like visual loss. We report an unusual presentation of GCA with nonproductive cough, pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO), and in the absence of typical symptoms of GCA or a diagnosis of PMR

Case Report

Findings

Discussion