Intrahepatic cholestasis associated with giant cell arteritis

Abstract

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a vasculitis affecting large and
medium size arteries and presents mainly in the elderly.
Major clinical findings in GCA are headache, visual symptoms,
fever and jaw claudication. Laboratory findings include
a very high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and anemia.
Among other organs that can be affected is the liver. More
than 30% of cases exhibit mild elevation of cholestatic enzymes.
However, significant elevation of cholestatic enzymes,
consistent with primary liver disease is quite rare
in GCA
A case of a 73-year-old woman with giant cell arteritis, presenting
with clinical and laboratory findings suggestive of
a primary liver disease is reported.
This case is presented to warn physicians that GCA should
be included in the differential diagnosis of abnormal liver
function tests in the elderly population.
Key words: Cholestasis, Giant-cell arteritis, liver dysfunction,