Scalp necrosis in temporal arteritis

Abstract

Giant cell arteritis is a systemic disease of the elderly which affects large and medium-sized arteries and which may occur in association with polymyalgia rheumatica. Scalp necrosis is a rare cutaneous complication of giant cell arteritis, and this dermatological presentation is not commonly reported.1-4 Giant cell arteritis should be considered in all elderly patients with scalp ulceration. We describe two patients who presented in this manner.