Giant Cell Arteritis in Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: A Case Series with Review of Literature in North-Central Indian Subjects

ABSTRACT: Giant cell arteritis is relatively rare in Indian subjects. A retrospective chart review of cases of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in patients with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) for last five years (2015 to 2020) in a tertiary care Institution was done. GCA cases were diagnosed on the basis of clinical criteria of new onset of headache along with marked sudden visual loss supplemented by raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and confirmed on temporal artery biopsy. Occult GCA was defined as patients presenting with predominantly ophthalmic symptoms without systemic involvement. All the clinical details of GCA cases have been described in detail. Out of 30 cases of AION, GCA was the diagnosis in 4 cases (13.33%). Among the 4 cases of GCA, 3 cases (75%) were of occult in nature. Three cases underwent superficial temporal artery biopsy which was confirmatory for GCA. GCA was rare in Indian scenario. Earlier age of presentation, male preponderance, and higher number of occult GCA with predominantly ophthalmic involvement were the findings in our study.