Giant Cell Arteritis ( GCA )

Giant cell arteritis GCA ( also known by other terms as Temporal arteritis , Horton or granulomatous arteritis ) is a large - and medium sized blood vessel systemic vasculitis characterized by the granulomatous involvement of the aorta and its main branches ( Salvarani C et al , Gonzalez-Gay MA et al )

Background -GCA is the most common primary vasculitides First references can be found in the 10th century when an oculist in Baghdad called Ali Ibn Isa noted a link between inflamed arteries and visual signs and symptoms reported in1890 as ' arteritis of the aged ' Affects large and medium sized vessels with a predisposition for cranial branches of carotid artery - in more than half of cases the aorta and its major branches are also involved GCA is an acute cause of blindness - hence it is a medical emergency The blindness is irreversible ( ischaemic optic neuropathy ) and GCA remains the prime medical emergency in ophthalmology RCP paper ( 2010 ) quotes that blindness is seen in up to 1/5th of patients and this may be due to late recognition There is considerable overlap with PMR ( Polymyalgia rheumatica ) and PMR with GCA...