Chonnam Med J.
2004 Jun;40(2):108-111.
Multifocal Cerebral Infarction Associated with Giant Cell Arteritis Invading Intracranial Arteries
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Korea.
- 2Chonnam National University Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Gwangju, Korea.
- 3Department of Neurology, Gwangju Christian Hospital, Gwangju, Korea. shleemd@ freechal.com
Abstract
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an autoimmune vasculitis of unknown origin. It affects large and medium sized arteries, especially the temporal arteries, but seldom involves the intracranial vessels. A 64-year-old man admitted with rapid progressive visual loss and neurological deterioration preceded by the history of throbbing headache and scalp tenderness in temporal regions for six months. On physical examination, both superficial temporal arteries were thickened, hardened, and tender. Funduscopic finding showed ischemic optic neuropathy in both eyes. Laboratory investigations revealed signs of inflammation with elevated C-reactive protein (15 mg/L) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (117 mm/h). Brain MRI showed multiple cerebral infarction in both cerebral hemispheres. MRA showed not only the occlusion of both external carotid arteries and stenosis of left vertebral artery, but also irregularities of intracranial small arteries.
MeSH Terms
-
Arteries*
Blood Sedimentation
Brain
C-Reactive Protein
Carotid Artery, External
Cerebral Infarction*
Cerebrum
Constriction, Pathologic
Giant Cell Arteritis*
Giant Cells*
Headache
Humans
Inflammation
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic
Physical Examination
Scalp
Temporal Arteries
Vasculitis
Vertebral Artery
C-Reactive Protein
