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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
Giant cell arteritis and spinal cord compression: an overlap syndrome?
Laurent J Sailler1, Lydie Porte, Sylvie M Ollier
1Service de Médecine Interne, Pavilion des Médecines, CHU Purpan, Place du Dr Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse 9, France. sailler.l@chu-toulouse.fr
Abstract:
We describe 2 patients with spinal cord compression that occurred in the course of biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA). One case was due to an epidural tumorlike inflammatory lesion, the other to a concentric inflammatory thickening of the meninges. Both patients were highly corticodependent; they had low-titer anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies but no antimyeloperoxidase or antiproteinase 3 autoantibodies. The diagnosis was established by surgical biopsy. The histological pattern was reminiscent of Wegener granulomatosis. Both patients experienced relapse, despite high doses of corticosteroids, and experienced remission after the introduction of cyclophosphamide. Intravenous immunoglobulin perfusions were added for 1 patient. To our knowledge, spinal cord compression by a spinal pseudotumor or inflammatory meningitis has not been reported in the course of GCA. An overlap syndrome between GCA and Wegener granulomatosis is discussed.
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