A Case of Giant Cell Arteritis in which Vascular Ultrasonography was Useful for Diagnosis, and Endovascular Treatment was Provided for Bilateral Upper Extremity Arterial Stenosis

Abstract

A 77-year-old woman presented with left upper limb weakness. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) revealed fludeoxyglucose (FDG) accumulation in bilateral subclavian arteries. Ultrasonography demonstrated the halo sign in the temporal artery. Biopsy led to a diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. The left radial artery could not be palpated, and ultrasonography revealed bilateral subclavian artery stenosis. We performed balloon angioplasty to bilateral subclavian arteries, and the radial artery became readily palpable. In this case, ultrasonography aided in the diagnosis and determination of the extent of the lesions.