Date published: 9th March 2018

Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) which is sometimes referred to as Temporal Arteritis (TA) is a relatively rare condition but if left undiagnosed or untreated, the condition can have a devastating effect on a patient’s life.

Approximately 1 in 4,500 people develop GCA each year with those most severely affected being over the age of 55. The condition is most common in those over the age of 75.

What is Giant Cell Arteritis?

GCA is where the arteries, particularly those at the side of the forehead (the temple) become inflamed. The cause of the condition is unknown.

What are the symptoms?

GCA causes the inflamed blood vessels to become narrowed, resulting in reduced blood flow and the symptoms typically associated with the condition include:-

  • A severe headache on one or both sides of the forehead;
  • Pain in the sides of the face, made worse when chewing;
  • Scalp tenderness, most apparent when brushing or combing the hair;
  • Fever;
  • Weight loss; and
  • Generally feeling unwell.

Inflammation can at times affect the blood vessels in the eye’s optic nerve which can result in permanent, partial or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes. The typical symptoms of GCA are often misinterpreted and undetected, leading to urgently needed treatment being delayed.

Around half of the people with GCA also develop polymyalgia rheumatic which causes pain, stiffness and inflammation in the muscles around the shoulders, neck and hips.

How is GCA diagnosed?

A patient who is suffering from a number of the associated symptoms should be treated as a medical emergency. If there is a clinical suspicion of GCA, then a temporal biopsy should be performed on the same side as the symptoms, or the abnormal findings on physical examination and should be carried out without delay.  

Treatment should not be withheld whilst awaiting the biopsy results and a patient should be started on high dose steroids to help reduce the inflammation and prevent the blood supply to the arteries from becoming blocked.

A referral for urgent specialist evaluation by an Ophthalmologist is recommended and with steroid treatment, most symptoms of GCA start to improve within a few days and then the dose can be gradually reduced. However, patients often experience spontaneous relapses which are unpredictable within the first year of the disease.

Here at Jackson Lees we represent a number of clients for the failure to diagnose GCA by the GP, resulting in severe visual impairment in one or both eyes. Compensation payments for ophthalmic claims can range from £100,000 plus.

If you feel that you or a loved one might have been harmed by an avoidable error, Jackson Lees may be able to help you understand what happened and why; and go some way to help you move on from these mistakes and put your life back together, by bringing a claim for compensation. We fit around your life, visiting you at home and out of hours when required.

Lisa will be our adviser at the drop-in clinic this Saturday 10th March 2018.

For a consultation with one of our legal team or for more information regarding our free drop-in clinic and medical negligence claims, please click here for a call back or message us your enquiry.