Neurologic aspects of giant cell (temporal) arteritis

Headache is the most frequent symptom for which a patient with giant cell arteritis (GCA) presents to a neurologist. Amaurosis fugax and ischemic optic neuropathy are well-recognized complications. Less commonly recognized neurologic complications include transient ischemic attacks, cerebral infarctions, acute confusional states (due to multi-infarct dementia), ischemic cervical myelopathy, and ischemic mononeuropathies. Because patients with GCA generally respond well to corticosteroid therapy, prompt diagnosis can minimize neurologic damage.