Abstract
We describe an unusual case of giant cell arteritis initially manifesting as insidiously progressive spastic quadriparesis, widespread muscle wasting and fasciculations in the absence of headache, followed by a complete left pupil-involving 3rd nerve palsy 10 months later. MRI and CSF analysis revealed evidence of intracranial involvement with established white matter lesions and intrathecal oligoclonal bands, respectively, whilst whole body FDG-PET demonstrated isolated uptake within the descending aorta. The temporal arteries were clinically and radiologically unremarkable but biopsy showed transmural inflammation and multinucleate giant cells. A rapid, complete and sustained improvement followed steroid therapy.