Rare Ischemic Complications of Giant Cell Arteritis: Case Series and Literature Review

Abstract

BACKGROUND Some ischemic complications due to giant cell arteritis (GCA) are rare and underdiagnosed. We describe the clinical features and outcomes of patients with GCA presenting with rare ischemic complications. CASE REPORT Our single-center retrospective database of patients with GCA was reviewed from 1994 to 2020. We describe 3 cases of rare ischemic complications secondary to GCA. We review the literature regarding ischemic complications due to GCA and their outcomes. All 3 cases met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for GCA. All patients experienced rare ischemic complications due to GCA. In case 1, the patient presented with a sixth cranial nerve palsy. In case 2, the patient presented with tongue and scalp necrosis, and with permanent visual loss due to anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. In case 3, the patient presented with scalp necrosis. In all 3 cases, the patients received glucocorticoids either intravenously and/or orally, which led to improvement. They all improved within the course of their followup visits. A literature review was performed to identify similar cases and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Ischemic complications due to GCA can be part of the initial presentation of the vasculitis, making confirmation of the diagnosis more difficult. Physicians should be aware of these rare complications since rapid diagnosis and initiation of glucocorticoids may alter the course of the disease.

Figure 1.

Case 2: Tongue ulcer.

Figure 2.

Case 2: Scalp necrosis.