SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Giant Cell Arteritis and Intracranial and Extracranial Cervical Aneurysms a Case Report and Literature Review

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This case report describes a 78-year-old right-handed woman who developed ten days of daily headaches, including a progressively worsening global occipital headache associated with nausea, diarrhea, and jaw soreness while chewing. She had no prior headache history, trauma, or sepsis. Laboratory testing showed a markedly elevated ESR of 74 mm/hr, raising concern for temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis, GCA). She was started promptly on prednisone 55 mg daily, and a temporal artery biopsy was performed the next day. Her headache improved within one day of steroid treatment, and she was discharged on prednisone with outpatient tapering instructions.<br /><br />The report emphasizes that temporal arteritis usually affects women over 50 and commonly presents with headache, jaw claudication, fever, and potentially vision loss. Although the biopsy did not show giant cells, the authors note that giant cells are found in only about half of biopsies.<br /><br />What makes this case unusual is the presence of both a right posterior communicating artery aneurysm and a right cervical internal carotid artery aneurysm. While aortic aneurysms are known complications of GCA, intracranial and extracranial cervical aneurysms are rarely reported. The authors state that this may be the first reported case linking temporal arteritis with a cervical internal carotid aneurysm. They also note that intradural aneurysms in GCA are uncommon and may lead to ischemic stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage.<br /><br />Overall, the case highlights an atypical vascular complication of giant cell arteritis and underscores the importance of recognizing and treating GCA quickly to reduce the risk of serious outcomes.

Asset Subtitle

Varsha Prasad

Meta Tag

Author List Amanda Frugoli, Brad Barrows, Nicholas Tarlov, Varsha Prasad

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Giant Cell Arteritis

Concept Headache

Concept Jaw Claudication

Concept Temporal Artery Biopsy

Concept Glucocorticoid Therapy

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Community Memorial Hospital

Presenting Author Varsha Prasad

Track Adult

Keywords

giant cell arteritis

temporal arteritis

headache

jaw claudication

elevated ESR

prednisone

temporal artery biopsy

carotid artery aneurysm

posterior communicating artery aneurysm

vascular complication

Giant Cell Arteritis

Headache

Jaw Claudication

Temporal Artery Biopsy

Glucocorticoid Therapy