# Giant Cell Arteritis With Atypical Features: Acute Vision Loss and Marked Eosinophilia Mimicking Systemic Vasculitis

**Authors:** David Phrathep, Sabrina A Billings, Hamaad Khan, Palak Patel, Michael Mohseni

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.86195 · Cureus · 2025-06-17

## TL;DR

This paper presents a rare case of giant cell arteritis with unusual symptoms resembling another type of vasculitis, emphasizing the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment.

## Contribution

The paper contributes a unique clinical case of GCA with overlapping features of eosinophilic granulomatosis.

## Key findings

- The patient experienced binocular vision loss, an atypical symptom for GCA.
- Ultrasonography was used effectively when biopsy was declined.
- Symptoms improved with high-dose steroids and tocilizumab.

## Abstract

Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis that affects the large- and medium-sized arteries, which commonly includes the cranial branches of the carotid arteries. Manifestations range from constitutional symptoms, headache, and jaw claudication to transient or permanent monocular vision loss. Because its prognosis is poor if untreated, patients require prompt evaluation and appropriate treatment. We present an atypical case of binocular vision loss in a patient diagnosed with GCA with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. The patient declined a temporal artery biopsy and opted for ultrasonography, which helped clinch the ultimate diagnosis. His symptoms partially improved with high-dose steroids and tocilizumab in the hospital. Our case highlights the diagnostic challenges, appropriate specialist consultations required, and prompt management of GCA with overlapping vasculitis symptoms.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Giant cell arteritis (MONDO:0008538), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (MONDO:0015943)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** binocular vision loss (MESH:D014786), Vasculitis (MESH:D014657), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (MESH:D014890), GCA (MESH:D013700), jaw claudication (MESH:D007383), Eosinophilia (MESH:D004802), headache (MESH:D006261)
- **Chemicals:** steroids (MESH:D013256), tocilizumab (MESH:C502936)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

6 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12268962/full.md

## References

14 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12268962/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12268962