Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis that can cause blindness in the elderly. GCA is a medical emergency since it frequently causes blindness if left untreated. Blindness can even occur in a small percentage of patients who undergo treatment. The etiology remains unknown. Presenting symptoms of GCA vary widely and visual manifestations are an extremely common mode of presentation. All physicians must have a high level of suspicion to diagnose and initiate early and aggressive treatment, which in most patients can arrest but rarely reverses the disease. Early and prolonged high-dose corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of GCA treatment. In symptomatic patients, the combination of abnormal levels of C-reactive protein in addition to Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate has 97% specificity in the laboratory diagnosis of GCA. The gold standard for diagnosis is the temporal artery biopsy, but biopsy-negative GCA cases have been reported.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
