Giant cell arteritis presenting with unilateral sixth nerve palsy

Abstract

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) usually presents with headache, scalp tenderness and raised inflammatory markers. GCA presenting with a clinically evident cranial nerve palsy is rare and may result in a delayed or missed diagnosis if not suspected. We present the rare case of a woman in her 70s with histologically confirmed GCA presenting with a unilateral sixth nerve palsy, which responded to treatment with high-dose oral prednisolone.

Keywords: Cranial nerves; Vasculitis.