Giant Cell Arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is the most common primary vasculitis in adults, primarily affecting individuals over 50 years of age. It is characterised by granulomatous inflammation of medium- to large-sized vessels, particularly the extracranial branches of the carotid artery, such as the temporal artery. GCA leads to the degradation of vascular smooth muscle cells and elastic fibres, resulting in vascular remodelling, aneurysm formation, and ischemic complications due to intimal thickening and vessel occlusion. The association between blindness and temporal arteritis was recognised as early as the 10th century by Ali-ibn-Isa of Baghdad. In 1890, Hutchinson first described the clinical characteristics of GCA, and in 1930, Horton and his colleagues provided a detailed account of its histopathological features.