Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is an idiopathic autoimmune disease characterized by systemic vasculitis. While the lungs and kidneys are the major organs affected by MPA, it is known to involve multiple organ systems throughout the body. Temporal artery involvement is a very rare finding in MPA. This report presents a patient whose initial presentation was consistent with giant cell arteritis but was ultimately found to have microscopic polyangiitis. It highlights the importance of considering alternative types of vasculitis in the differential diagnosis for patients with atypical temporal artery biopsy findings.
Copyright © 2020 Alexander G. Goglia et al.