Arteritis de células gigantes: compromiso extenso de la aorta y grandes ramas demostrado por tomografía por emisión de positrones. Caso clínico / Extensive arterial involvement in giant cell arteritis: report of one case

ABSTRACT

Large vessel vasculitis and particularly Temporal Arteritis are systemic diseases that may affect the aorta and its major branches, mainly involving extra cranial branches of the carotid artery. We report a 72-year-old man presenting with weight loss, fever and malaise. Positron emission computed tomography (PET CT) showed an extensive inflammation of the aorta and its major branches. Temporal artery biopsy confirmed the presence of vasculitis with granulomas. Treatment with a high dose of steroids had an excellent clinical response. This case underscores the utility of PET CT in the assessment of this disease.