Ischemic Complications of Giant-Cell Arteritis

Abstract

Giant-cell arteritis (GCA) is a medium- to large-vessel arteritis predominantly involving the branches of the aorta, occurring in elderly patients. Findings in GCA include symptoms such as headache, jaw claudication, or polymyalgia rheumatica; ischemic events; and signs of a systemic inflammatory reaction. The clinical presentation may rarely involve other areas. We report the case of an 85-year-old man with biopsy-proven GCA presenting with fever, weight loss, and scalp necrosis.