Giant Cell (Temporal) Arteritis: Pathogenesis and investigations

Risk Factors:

 - Unclear environmental triggers (may be viral, not proven)

 - Genetic abnormalities (i.e. HLA-DR4 mutation) that alter inflammatory cytokine expression

 - Age: GCA is almost never seen in patients < 50 yrs old; F>M

Signs/Symptoms:

 - Fever

 - High serum CRP. ESR

 - Thrombocytosis 

 - Normocytic Anemia

 - Giant cells seen on biopsy 

 - Vessels will be enlarged, usually painful to palpation

 - Vasculitic skin lesions

 - Muscle-soreness (associated with Polymyalgia Rheumatica)

 - Focal neurological findings



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