TY - JOUR
AR - NNB-2020-3-106
TI - Challenges in the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis Before Visual Loss
AU - Faaiq, Hassan
AU - Muhammed , Omar Qadir
AU - Shirish , Dubey
AU - Sergio  , Pagliarini
AU - Purnima , Mehta
JO - Neurology and Neurobiology
PY - 2020
DA - Mon 27, Jul 2020
SN - 2613-7828
DO - http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.NNB.2020.03.06
UR - https://www.sciencerepository.org/challenges-in-the-diagnosis-of-giant-cell-arteritis-before-visual-loss_NNB-2020-3-106 
KW - Giant cell arteritis, temporal arteritis, ophthalmoplegia, vasculitis, inflammation
AB - Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common type of systemic vasculitis affecting the
elderly. Ophthalmic presentations of GCA in particular can be difficult to identify prior to permanent visual
loss occurring.
Methods: Here, we present 3 challenging cases as a retrospective series to highlight the variable
presentations of GCA with ophthalmic involvement, but GCA was not suspected due to atypical
presentation.
Results: Unfortunately, all 3 cases went on to develop visual loss in the affected eye due to a delay in
diagnosis or treatment. The authors wish to highlight the challenges posed to the referring clinicians, when
patients had systemic/ocular co-morbidities, which delayed the suspicion of GCA
Conclusion with a Practical Point: Our cases highlight the variable presentations of this condition as well
as the devastating ophthalmic implications that GCA can have. A high index of suspicion must be
maintained; particularly in elderly patients with atypical presentations.