Giant cell arteritis combined with venous sinus thrombosis: A case report and systematic review

Background Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a low-incidence systemic vasculitis in Asian populations. It is considered a rare cause of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). This case report presents a rare case of an Asian patient with GCA accompanied by CVST. Case Presentation: A 67-year-old man who had been experiencing varicose veins in the bilateral temporal region for four years and complete loss of vision in the right eye for four months sought medical attention in our emergency department due to loss of vision in the left eye for two weeks and fever for three days. On admission, this patient had a recurrent fever, and no source of infection was identified. Conventional anti-infective treatment was ineffective. Based on the clinical presentation, a diagnosis of GCA combined with CVST was made, and hormone therapy was administered. The patient was discharged with normal body temperature, clear consciousness, recovery of vision in both eyes, and improved clinical parameters. Conclusions This case report presents a distinct manifestation of both GCA and CVST. The coexistence of GCA and CVST is not solely attributed to increased blood viscosity, inflammation of the vascular wall, and abnormal coagulation. It also involves a complex immunological network. This case report may help clinicians make comprehensive clinical decisions in similar cases.