GIANT CELL ARTERITIS OF THE VERTEBROBASILAR SYSTEM, POSTERIOR ISCHEMIA AND PALSY OF THE THIRD NERVE. REPORT OF ONE CASE
Arteritis de células gigantes en el sistema vertebrobasilar, isquemias cerebelo-occipitales, pérdida de la visión, parálisis III par
Author
del Canto A, Adolfo; Universidad de Chile, Hospital del Salvador
Montoya S, Francisca; Unidad de neurorradiología, Instituto de neurocirugía Dr. Alfonso Asenjo
Marileo Z, Roberto; Unidad de neurorradiología, Instituto de neurocirugía Dr. Alfonso Asenjo
Cartier R, Luis; Universidad de Chile, Hospital del Salvador
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis is the most common vasculitis in patients aged over 50 years. We report an 89-year-old woman with significant weight loss and persistent frontal-occipital headaches lasting two months. The neurological examination at admission identified a decrease in visual acuity of the left eye, paralysis of the third cranial nerve of the right eye and alterations of body motility without objective signs of damage of the motor or sensitive pathways. Magnetic resonance imaging showed changes of the temporal artery wall and in both vertebral arteries, as well as bilateral cerebellar and occipital ischemic lesions. The Doppler ultrasound of the temporal arteries was compatible with Giant cell arteritis. Treatment with steroids was started. While receiving oral prednisone, the patient suffered new infarcts of the posterior territory, documented with a CAT scan. Giant cell arteritis is the most common vasculitis in patients aged over 50 years. We report an 89-year-old woman with significant weight loss and persistent frontal-occipital headaches lasting two months. The neurological examination at admission identified a decrease in visual acuity of the left eye, paralysis of the third cranial nerve of the right eye and alterations of body motility without objective signs of damage of the motor or sensitive pathways. Magnetic resonance imaging showed changes of the temporal artery wall and in both vertebral arteries, as well as bilateral cerebellar and occipital ischemic lesions. The Doppler ultrasound of the temporal arteries was compatible with Giant cell arteritis. Treatment with steroids was started. While receiving oral prednisone, the patient suffered new infarcts of the posterior territory, documented with a CAT scan.