A case of giant cell arteritis with subsequent ischemic stroke: Highlighting treatment challenges | [Rawal Medical Journal • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Binish Zain: Department of Rheumatology, Karachi, Pakistan

2. Soman Rasool: Department of Rheumatology, Karachi, Pakistan

3. Ashar Ekhlaq Ahmed: Department of Rheumatology, Karachi, Pakistan

4. Mehnaz Mehmood: Department of Family Medicine, Dr Ziauddin Hospital,Karachi,Pakistan

Abstract:

We present the case of a 74-year-old male with Diabetes Mellitus and angina who was diagnosed with Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) but received suboptimal treatment with low-dose prednisolone despite persistently elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This led to progressive symptoms, including headache, jaw claudication, and eventual vision loss. Treatment with high-dose IV methylprednisolone initially improved symptoms. However, he developed acute ischemic infarctions in the posterior circulation, followed by complications such as vertigo, bilateral visual loss, and encephalopathy. Des-pite aggressive management with dual antiplatelet the-rapy and corticosteroids, the patient succumbed to com-plications. This case highlights the importance of timely and adequate GCA treatment, especially in patients with comorbidities.

Page(s): 547-549

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Rawal Medical Journal, Volume: 50, Issue: 2, Year: 2025

Keywords:

Ischemic Stroke , Giant cell arteritis , largevessel vasculitis , cerebrovascular complications

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