Publication

Giant cell arteritis "causing" AA-amyloidosis with rapid renal failure

Journal Paper/Review - Oct 28, 2000

Units
PubMed

Citation
Strasser F, Hailemariam S, Weinreich T, Speich R, Salomon F. Giant cell arteritis "causing" AA-amyloidosis with rapid renal failure. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 2000; 130:1606-9.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Schweiz Med Wochenschr 2000; 130
Publication Date
Oct 28, 2000
Issn Print
0036-7672
Pages
1606-9
Brief description/objective

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitic disease, which in very rare cases causes inflammatory complications such as secondary amyloidosis. We describe a well-documented case, with a clinically mild course, of biopsyproven giant cell arteritis as the only apparent cause of systemic AA-Amyloidosis. The deterioration in renal function due to amyloid deposition occurred rapidly and only a few months after manifestation of giant cell arteritis and was not reversible by steroid treatment. The renal arteries were normal and there was no glomerulonephritis due to giant cell arteritis. This unique case demonstrates that giant cell arteritis with a mild clinical course is closely associated with early-onset severe secondary amyloidosis.