title: A stroke of bad luck.
abstract: Giant cell arteritis is a common cause of headache in patients aged more than 50 years. It is an easy diagnosis to make if classical features, ie temporal headache, jaw claudication, visual symptoms, systemic symptoms of fever or weight loss with high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and anemia, are present. However, it may present atypically and stroke can be the presenting feature. A high index of suspicion is needed in atypical presentations such as stroke. Once a diagnosis is suspected it is imperative to start high dose steroids to prevent visual and neurological complications.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Llandough, Cardiff, UK drkamalsuja@doctors.net.uk.
authors.forename: Subramaniam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagasayi
authors.affiliation: Llandough Hospital, Cardiff, UK, and clinical lecturer undergraduate medical education, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Yogesh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Joshi
mesh_terms: D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020521:Stroke
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids; D001241:Aspirin
keywords: Giant cell arteritis; aspirin; steroids; stroke; vasculitis