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[Extensive arterial involvement in giant cell arteritis: Report of one case]
Daniela Grünholz1, María Paz Poblete2, Loreto Ovalle1
1Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Militar de Santiago, Chile.
Insights
Temporal Arteritis, a large vessel vasculitis, can affect the aorta. Positron emission computed tomography (PET CT) effectively identified extensive aortic inflammation in a patient, leading to prompt steroid treatment and clinical improvement.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Nuclear Medicine
Background:
- Large vessel vasculitis, including Temporal Arteritis, affects the aorta and its branches.
- Extra cranial branches of the carotid artery are commonly involved.
- Systemic symptoms like weight loss, fever, and malaise can indicate these conditions.
Abstract:
Large vessel vasculitis and particularly Temporal Arteritis are systemic diseases that may affect the aorta and its major branches, mainly involving extra cranial branches of the carotid artery. We report a 72-year-old man presenting with weight loss, fever and malaise. Positron emission computed tomography (PET CT) showed an extensive inflammation of the aorta and its major branches. Temporal artery biopsy confirmed the presence of vasculitis with granulomas. Treatment with a high dose of steroids had an excellent clinical response. This case underscores the utility of PET CT in the assessment of this disease.