Giant cell arteritis: a review

Pravin Patil,1 Niral Karia,2 Shaifali Jain,3 Bhaskar Dasgupta1 1Department of Rheumatology, 2Department of Ophthalmology, 3Department of Radiology, Southend University Hospital, Westcliff, Essex, United Kingdom Abstract: Giant cell arteritis is the most common vasculitis in Caucasians. Acute visual loss in one or both eyes is by far the most feared and irreversible complication of giant cell arteritis. This article reviews recent guidelines on early recognition of systemic, cranial, and ophthalmic manifestations, and current management and diagnostic strategies and advances in imaging. We share our experience of the fast track pathway and imaging in associated disorders, such as large-vessel vasculitis. Keywords: giant cell arteritis, diagnosis, treatment, polymyalgia rheumatica