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Updated: Oct 28, 2025
06:35
An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
Published on: February 8, 2019
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Posterior Uveitis Associated with Large Vessel Giant Cell Arteritis
Nam V Nguyen1,2,3, Samendra Karkhur1,4, Murat Yuksel5
1Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA.
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
|July 16, 2021
Summary
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) can rarely cause acute unilateral posterior uveitis. Early diagnosis and corticosteroid treatment led to significant vision improvement in an elderly patient.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Rheumatology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis primarily affecting large and medium-sized arteries.
- Ocular manifestations of GCA are common, but posterior uveitis is a rare presentation.
Observation:
- A 62-year-old male presented with decreased vision in the right eye (OD).
- Fundus examination revealed vitreous cells and inflammatory precipitates in the posterior segment.
- Diagnosis of GCA was established based on clinical criteria and supported by 18FDG-PET scan, despite inconclusive temporal artery biopsy.
Findings:
- The patient was treated with corticosteroids, resulting in significant improvement of visual acuity (VA) from 20/60 to 20/40 in the OD within six weeks.
- Acute unilateral posterior uveitis resolved with treatment.
Implications:
- This case highlights that unilateral posterior uveitis in elderly patients should raise suspicion for GCA.
- Prompt diagnosis and management of GCA are crucial to prevent irreversible vision loss.
- Considering GCA in the differential diagnosis of posterior uveitis can lead to timely and effective treatment.
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