Spinal Cord Presentation of Biopsy-Proven PET-Positive Giant Cell Arteritis. (7th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Swart, Grace; Balgobind, Sapna; Chan, Charles; Fulham, Michael; Riminton, Sean; Mitchell, Emma; Reddel, Stephen William
• Is Part Of: Neurology. Volume 98:Number 23(2022)
• Page Start: 982
• Page End: 983
• Publication Date: 2022-06-07
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurologie -- Périodiques; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000200749
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0028-3878

Abstract

Abstract : A 63-year-old man presented with sudden bilateral lower limb weakness and right-sided sensory loss to pain and temperature on a background of recently diagnosed biopsy-negative giant cell arteritis (GCA) treated with prednisone 50 mg. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was normal. Somatosensory evoked potentials revealed central conduction delay. PET/CT imaging revealed major vessel hypermetabolism (Figure 1), indicative of active GCA, confirmed on repeat temporal artery biopsy (Figure 2). Spinal cord involvement was suspected; IV steroids and cyclophosphamide followed by tocilizumab were commenced with good response. Clinicians should be aware of rare manifestations of GCA 1 and PET-CT might be helpful in evaluation of disease activity. 2