Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
Published on: February 8, 2019
Brief sharp stabs of head pain and giant cell arteritis
1Department of Neurology, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, 1000 E. Mountain Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, USA.
Abstract:
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any new onset headache occurring in individuals over the age of 50 years. Headache is the most common complaint in GCA patients but the clinical characteristics of the headache itself does not help in making a diagnosis as the headache can occur anywhere on the head, not just the temples, be mild to severe in intensity and be dull to throbbing in quality. As other things can cause new onset headache in older individuals, additional clinical symptoms or signs that may suggest GCA as a diagnosis would be useful to clinicians. Two cases are presented that suggests that new onset stabbing headache associated with a new daily persistent headache is a possible diagnostic sign for a diagnosis of GCA. Nothing in the literature to date has mentioned new onset stabbing headache as part of the presenting symptom complex for GCA.
Related Concept Videos
Brain Abscess l: Introduction
Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
Bacterial Meningitis
Acute Inflammation III: Local and Systemic Effects
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
