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Review
. 2019 Jan 17:11:1-12.
doi: 10.2147/EB.S170388. eCollection 2019.

Giant cell arteritis: early diagnosis is key

Iyza F Baig  1 , Alexis R Pascoe  1 , Ashwini Kini  2 , Andrew G Lee  2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9
Affiliations
Review

Giant cell arteritis: early diagnosis is key

Iyza F Baig et al. Eye Brain. .

Abstract

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an inflammatory vasculitis typically affecting elderly that can potentially cause vision loss. Studies have demonstrated that early recognition and initiation of treatment can improve visual prognosis in patients with GCA. This review addresses the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment, and discusses the available treatment options to manage the disease.

Keywords: giant cell arteritis; imaging in GCA; laboratory values in GCA; steroid-sparing agents in GCA; steroids in GCA.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
H&E-stained, low-power temporal artery biopsy, showing the inflammatory infiltrate, mostly lymphocytes and macrophages, in multiple layers of the vessel: adventitia (asterisk), muscularis (arrow head), and even at the level of the vasa vasorum (arrow). Notes: There is irregular intimal hyperplasia and almost complete narrowing of the vascular lumen. Credit: Claudia ProsperoPonce, Department of Ocular-Pathology, Houston Methodist.
Figure 2
Figure 2
H&E-stained, high-power temporal artery biopsy, showing a multinucleated giant cell attacking the elastic lamina. Note: Credit: Claudia ProsperoPonce, Department of Ocular-Pathology, Houston Methodist.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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