Dissection of the temporal artery in a patient with giant cell arteritis

Retinal Detachment and Temporal Artery Dissection: An Elusive Case of Giant Cell Arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is the most common systemic inflammatory vasculitis occurring in the elderly. Patients usually present with vision loss, headache, jaw claudication, diplopia, myalgia and constitutional symptoms. The most common ocular manifestations are anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION), choroidal ischemia and central retinal artery occlusion. Here we describe a case of GCA presenting with vision changes secondary to retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage. Upon temporal artery biopsy, GCA was confirmed and it was found to be accompanied by temporal artery dissection as well. Patient was treated with pulse dose intravenous steroids after which her symptoms improved. Based on our literature review, this is the first reported case of GCA presenting in this manner.

Isolated superficial temporal artery dissection masquerading as giant cell arteritis

A 79-year-old male presented with symptoms suggesting giant cell arteritis (GCA) and elevation of acute-phase reactants. Bilateral superficial temporal artery (STA) biopsies were negative for GCA. However, the right-sided biopsy showed a STA dissection. Spontaneous isolated STA dissection has never been reported previously. The pertinent available literature is also discussed.