Uveitis as a Presenting Sign of Giant Cell Arteritis

Giant Cell Arteritis Presenting with Uveitis

“…In both our patient and the patient described by Bandini et al, there was unfortunately no improvement in vision after appropriate diagnosis and treatment of GCA. 3 However, the disciform macular scar that was noted on initial presentation may have been responsible for the persistent poor visual acuity in our patient. In two cases, as well as ours, ESR was found to be elevated after initial treatment with topical steroids failed to improve symptoms.…”

“…[3][4][5] Most patients had slight improvement in visual symptoms with topical treatment; however, headache or polymyalgia prompted further investigation. 3,4 One patient was initially treated with both topical and systemic steroids for a diagnosis of bilateral panuveitis. 5 Her symptoms improved, and it was not until tapering of the steroids that she had recurrence of symptoms one year later.…”

“…In two cases, as well as ours, ESR was found to be elevated after initial treatment with topical steroids failed to improve symptoms. 3,4 Elevated ESR associated with symptoms of GCA, prompted temporal artery biopsy in all cases. Although temporal artery biopsy is an invasive procedure, the highly treatable nature of promptly diagnosed GCA and potentially devastating consequences of a delayed diagnosis cannot be denied.…”

“…Uveitis as a presenting feature of GCA is very rare and, to our knowledge, has only been reported in three other patients. [3][4][5] These patients, along with ours, were all initially treated with topical steroids, delaying the correct diagnosis and treatment anywhere from three weeks to one year. [3][4][5] Most patients had slight improvement in visual symptoms with topical treatment; however, headache or polymyalgia prompted further investigation.…”

“…[3][4][5] These patients, along with ours, were all initially treated with topical steroids, delaying the correct diagnosis and treatment anywhere from three weeks to one year. [3][4][5] Most patients had slight improvement in visual symptoms with topical treatment; however, headache or polymyalgia prompted further investigation. 3,4 One patient was initially treated with both topical and systemic steroids for a diagnosis of bilateral panuveitis.…”