[Superficial cranial venous thromboses preceding the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis]

Abstract

Temporal arteritis is a large-vessel vasculitis predominantly affecting the external carotid and its branches. Venous thrombosis is rarely found at the onset of temporal arteritis, particularly when venous symptoms precede arterial involvement. We report the case of a 70-year-old woman consulting for bilateral superficial frontal venous thrombosis. Superficial bilateral temporal venous thrombosis occurred under adequate anticoagulation before the onset of arterial symptoms suggestive of temporal arteritis. We then discuss the pathophysiology of venous thrombosis in patients with temporal arteritis.