Temporal arteritis with normal erythrocyte sedimentation rates presenting as occipital neuralgia.
A retrospective review of 46 patients with biopsy-proven giant cell (temporal) arteritis revealed 8 (17%) whose initial presentation was occipital pain. The most likely etiology of occipital pain in these patients was occipital artery inflammation. A Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate less than 40 mm/hour was noted at presentation in 6 of these 8 patients. Giant cell arteritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of elderly patients who present with occipital pain and demonstrate a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Jundt
J W
JW
Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Scott & White Clinic, Temple, TX 76508.
Mock
D
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D009778:Occipital Lobe; D012189:Retrospective Studies