# Giant Cell Arteritis Following Dental Procedure

## TL;DR

A patient developed giant cell arteritis shortly after a dental procedure, highlighting the need to consider rare conditions in atypical presentations.

## Contribution

This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing atypical presentations of giant cell arteritis to avoid delayed diagnosis.

## Key findings

- A patient developed acute headache and trismus hours after a root canal treatment.
- The case highlights the risk of delayed diagnosis due to atypical presentation of GCA.
- Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent irreversible complications.

## Abstract

Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is a chronic vasculitis affecting large- and medium-sized arteries in patients over 50 years old. Untreated GCA can cause serious morbidity like irreversible vision loss, aneurysms, or stroke. We present a case of a patient who developed an acute headache and trismus within hours of undergoing a root canal treatment. Because GCA typically presents more gradually, the sudden onset of symptoms raised concern for dental-related complications or infection, contributing to a delay in considering GCA. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a broad differential and recognizing atypical presentations to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, thereby reducing the risk of long-term morbidity.