Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a vasculitis of large- vessels. A markedly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are characteristics of GCA, although temporal artery biopsy remains the gold standard for the diagnosis. We describe a case of biopsy-proven GCA showing a heavy infiltration of CD68 macrophages and CD3 T cells and with normal ESR and CRP levels at diagnosis. Key points (1) GCA may occur with normal ESR in a percentage of about 4 to 15 % (although the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for giant cell arteritis include an ESR of 50 mm/h or more), while it can occur with normal ESR and normal CRP in a percentage of about 0.8 %. So, the clinical suspicion must be confirmed with a positive biopsy. (2) GCA patients with ESR >40 mm/h are characterized by higher incidence of headache and jaw claudication compared to patients with normal ESR. In our case, it occurred with normal ESR. (3) Color duplex ultrasonography is a noninvasive, easy, and inexpensive method for supporting a diagnosis of TA, with a high sensitivity and specificity. It can predict which patient will need TAB.

Laria, A., Zoli, A., Bocci, M., Castri, F., Federico, F., Ferraccioli, G., Systematic review of the literature and a case report informing biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) with normal C-reactive protein, <<CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY>>, 2012; 31 (9): 1389-1393. [doi:10.1007/s10067-012-2031-3] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/41190]

Systematic review of the literature and a case report informing biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) with normal C-reactive protein

Laria, Antonella;Zoli, Angelo;Bocci, Mario;Castri, Federica;Federico, Francesco;Ferraccioli, Gianfranco
2012

Abstract

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a vasculitis of large- vessels. A markedly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are characteristics of GCA, although temporal artery biopsy remains the gold standard for the diagnosis. We describe a case of biopsy-proven GCA showing a heavy infiltration of CD68 macrophages and CD3 T cells and with normal ESR and CRP levels at diagnosis. Key points (1) GCA may occur with normal ESR in a percentage of about 4 to 15 % (although the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for giant cell arteritis include an ESR of 50 mm/h or more), while it can occur with normal ESR and normal CRP in a percentage of about 0.8 %. So, the clinical suspicion must be confirmed with a positive biopsy. (2) GCA patients with ESR >40 mm/h are characterized by higher incidence of headache and jaw claudication compared to patients with normal ESR. In our case, it occurred with normal ESR. (3) Color duplex ultrasonography is a noninvasive, easy, and inexpensive method for supporting a diagnosis of TA, with a high sensitivity and specificity. It can predict which patient will need TAB.
2012
Inglese
Laria, A., Zoli, A., Bocci, M., Castri, F., Federico, F., Ferraccioli, G., Systematic review of the literature and a case report informing biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) with normal C-reactive protein, <<CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY>>, 2012; 31 (9): 1389-1393. [doi:10.1007/s10067-012-2031-3] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/41190]
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10807/41190
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 7
  • Scopus 24
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 20
social impact