Posterior Circulation Stroke in a Patient With Giant Cell Arteritis: A Case Report

TL;DR

An elderly woman with giant cell arteritis experienced a stroke, showing how this condition can lead to serious neurological complications.

Contribution

This case report adds to the understanding of stroke mechanisms in patients with giant cell arteritis.

Findings

The patient developed a posterior circulation stroke two weeks after GCA diagnosis.

Imaging showed an acute infarct in the left cerebellar hemisphere.

Atrial fibrillation was identified as a coexisting cardioembolic risk factor.

Abstract

We present the case of a 95-year-old woman with recently diagnosed giant cell arteritis (GCA) who developed a posterior circulation stroke. She initially experienced visual disturbances and was treated with high-dose corticosteroids after a temporal artery ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis. Two weeks later, she developed sudden left-sided weakness and unsteadiness. Imaging revealed an acute infarct in the left cerebellar hemisphere. During admission, atrial fibrillation was also detected. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of stroke in GCA, where both vascular inflammation and coexisting cardioembolic risk factors can contribute to cerebrovascular events.

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