What are the complications associated with biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis?
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is associated with the development of visual complications in biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis. These complications can include false positives in the ultrasound diagnosis of giant cell arteritis, the halo sign, ocular ischaemia, and glucocorticoid-resistant or relapsing Takayasu arteritis with methotrexate. Intracranial and extracranial neurovascular manifestations of Takayasu arteritis have also been reported. Finally, the use of tocilizumab for induction and maintenance of remission in giant cell arteritis has been trialled in a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 