Necrosis of the tongue as aclinical manifestation of giant cell arteritis

Abstract

An 83-year-old male patient presented due to a3-week history of swelling of the tongue with tongue pain on eating, yellowish plaques, and agray-brown lesion in the anterior portion of the tongue. Sudden loss of vision in the left eye and temporal headache occurred 3days before presentation. Due to elevated C‑reactive protein, sonography of the supraaortic arteries as well as positron emission tomography/computed tomography was performed. Imaging revealed inflammation of the great arteries as well as ahalo sign on ultrasound of the temporal artery. Thus, adiagnosis of giant cell arteritis with necrosis of the tongue was made. Immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticoids was initiated. Necrosis of the tongue is arare manifestation of giant cell arteritis that requires immediate immunosuppressive therapy to prevent further complications to the tongue (e.g., complete necrosis of the tongue, superinfection, tongue amputation).