An interesting case of temporal arteritis that manifested as ptosis and diplopia
Recommended Citation
Martis A, Hassan RS, Alburquerque AG, Kotte M, Martis A, Ahmed H. An interesting case of temporal arteritis that manifested as ptosis and diplopia. Oxf Med Case Reports. 2020;2020(11):omaa099.
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) or temporal arteritis is a granulomatous vasculitis that affects medium-to-large vessels seen primarily in older Caucasian populations. Here, we describe a 67-year-old male who presented with atypical symptoms of worsening headaches associated with left-sided pupil-sparing, isolated third nerve palsy, blurry vision, diplopia and myalgias in bilateral extremities. He was immediately started on intravenous Methylprednisolone for suspected GCA. Subsequent biopsy of the temporal arteries showed panarteritis without giant cells and disruption of the internal elastic lamina. His symptoms improved in a day following treatment and he was discharged on a Prednisone taper. At the time of writing this case, there are only two cases in the literature of ptosis as a presenting symptom in GCA, thus highlighting the importance of recognizing rare red flag symptoms such as ptosis and diplopia. More study is needed in the prognostic significance of these unusual clinical features.
Document Type
Article
PubMed ID
33269083
Affiliations
Internal Medicine, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center