Related Experiment Videos
Giant cell (temporal) arteritis: involvement of the vertebral and internal carotid arteries
K R Thielen1, E F Wijdicks, D A Nichols
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Insights
Giant cell arteritis can cause severe narrowing of the internal carotid and vertebral arteries. Radiographic findings revealed high-grade stenoses in these vessels, linked to the arteritis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis affecting large and medium-sized arteries.
- Cranial involvement, particularly temporal artery inflammation, is common, but large vessel stenosis is less frequently reported.
Observation:
- A 69-year-old patient presented with transient ischemic attacks.
- Radiographic imaging demonstrated high-grade stenoses in the internal carotid and vertebral arteries.
- These stenoses were located extradurally, proximal to the dural entry point.
Findings:
- Histological confirmation of giant cell arteritis.
- Radiographic evidence of significant arterial stenosis consistent with GCA manifestation.
- Correlation between GCA and extradural, proximal stenoses of major cerebral arteries.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for GCA to cause severe stenosis in extracranial internal carotid and vertebral arteries.
- Suggests that radiographic evaluation for GCA should consider large vessel involvement beyond cranial arteries.
- Emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and management to prevent ischemic events in GCA patients with large vessel stenosis.
Abstract:
We report the radiographic findings in a case of histologically proven giant cell (temporal) arteritis coupled with high-grade stenoses affecting the internal carotid and vertebral arteries. The 69-year-old patient sought medical assessment because of transient ischemic attacks. The stenoses, which were extradural just proximal to the dural entry point, were thought to be a manifestation of the giant cell arteritis.