Giant cell arteritis

Overview

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a disease caused by inflammation in the arteries in the head. It typicall affects older people with average age of 70 and all cases over 50 years old. 

Epidemiology

Clinical

• Headaches, fever, weight loss.
• Tender scalp
• Jaw pain when chewing

Complications

• 10% lose vision. Once vision goes it usually cannot be salvaged. Unilateral vision loss is high risk for vision loss in the other eye.

Lab

• ESR, CRP