Atypical Presentation of Temporal Arteritis in a Female Patient: A Case Report

Temporal arteritis, or giant cell arteritis, is an idiopathic, autoimmune vasculitis that primarily affects medium- and large-sized arteries. It typically presents with headache, jaw claudication, fever, or visual disturbances. We report an atypical case of temporal arteritis in a 68-year-old female who initially presented with left paraspinal neck pain, malaise, and mild headaches. Over the following weeks, her symptoms progressed to include worsening headache, fever, night sweats, and fatigue. A multidisciplinary team approach led to timely diagnosis and treatment initiation, preventing severe complications. This case illustrates an uncommon presentation of temporal arteritis initially mistaken for musculoskeletal pain and highlights the value of early recognition to prevent irreversible complications such as vision loss.