Giant Cell Arteritis with Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion in the Absence of Typical Clinical Features.

ABSTRACT

A 65-year-old man presented with a slight headache and transient visual disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed occlusion of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) and acute brain infarctions in both hemispheres, and a blood examination indicated inflammation. Gadolinium enhancement was observed in the walls of the temporal arteries and ICAs. After we diagnosed giant cell arteritis (GCA) by a temporal artery biopsy, aspirin and corticosteroids were administered. The typical symptoms of GCA, such as jaw claudication and temporal artery tenderness, were absent during the entire clinical course, and the findings of contrast-enhanced MRI contributed to the diagnosis.