Giant cell arteritis
OptC5? Ophthalmology MRCEM syllabus
| "you're blind and your hair is a mess" - LITFL | |
|---|---|
| Etiology | Usually affecting external carotid artery. Close association with polymyalgia rheumatica. |
| Epidemiology | Peak onset age >50. F>M. |
| Clinical presentation | Painless sudden vision loss. Classically: jaw claudication, scalp tenderness, temporal headache ↑ ESR Fundoscopy: Ddx: CRAO, CRVO |
| Pathogenesis | ischaemic optic neuropathy |
| Diagnostic investigations | Temporal artery biopsy (skip lesions?) |
| Management | IV methylpred - do not wait for diagnosis confirmation! Complications: permanent vision loss |
| Prevention |
NB: ischaemic optic neuropathy can occur post-op ...... from proning??