RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Giant cell arteritis complicated by spinal cord infarction: a therapeutic dilemma.
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 1556
OP 1558
VO 29
IS 7
A1 Oren Fruchter
A1 Haim Ben-Ami
A1 Daniel Schapira
A1 Zahava Gallimidi
A1 Diana Gaitini
A1 Dorit Goldsher
YR 2002
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/29/7/1556.abstract
AB Spinal cord involvement is uncommon in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and spinal cord infarction is extremely rare. We describe an 80-year-old man with active GCA who developed sudden paraplegia and dissociated sensory loss while receiving steroid treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging showed high signal abnormality consistent with spinal cord infarction in the anterior spinal artery territory at the level of D10. The case illustrates the elusive nature of GCA and the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas faced by the physician caring for these patients.