Clinical Pearls and Myths in Vasculitis

Giant Cell Arteritis: MythMost of the other 50% of cases demonstrate a panarteritis,with an infiltrate composed primarily of lymphocytes,monocytes, and occasional other cells (e.g., neutrophils andeosinophils, but no giant cells).If the clinical picture suggests GCA, these less classicfindings may permit the diagnosis to be made withconfidenceAlthough this myth is in fact correct in most cases,increasing numbers of reports have documented suchpathologic findings in patients with PAN, WG, CSS, andsarcoidosis