Giant Cell Arteritis

Giant cell arteritis is a medium-vessel vasculitis that affects both men and women. Because the disease commonly presents with nonspecific complaints stemming from cranial arterial insufficiency, the challenge for the physician is recognizing the diagnosis. Recognition of the entity and expeditious initiation of therapy are required to prevent permanent complications, including blindness. There is no pathognomonic finding on physical examination, blood testing, or commonly used radiologic investigations to confirm the diagnosis or establish disease activity. Oral corticosteroids are the mainstay of therapy. Other immune system modulators have no demonstrated efficacy and require further investigation. Percutaneous or surgical revascularization is a viable therapeutic option when the disease is not active.