[Breast lesions as the presenting feature of giant cell arteritis]

Giant cell arteritis most commonly involves the external carotid branches. Although they are less typical, extra-cephalic forms have also been reported.

We report the case of a 59-year-old female patient who developed bilateral, painful breast nodules with fever and altered general status since two months. Two weeks later, she presented frontal headache and scalp tenderness. A colour duplex ultrasound of the temporal artery showed a halo sign. The results of a breast needle biopsy were inconclusive but the temporal artery biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. The disease course was rapidly favourable after institution of corticosteroids.

Breast involvement is rare but could be the first sign of giant cell arteritis. The internal mammary artery, which is a branch of the subclavian artery, can be affected and responsible for breast nodules.