Lingual infarction in giant cell arteritis. A case report.

Giant cell arteritis is a disease of the elderly, affecting the temporal or other cranial arteries, often in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. A case of giant cell arteritis with necrosis of the tongue in a 77-year-old woman is reported. It is important to be aware of this condition because of the serious complications. As the lesion is focally distributed, it is necessary to obtain a large biopsy specimen from the superficial temporal artery in order to make a correct diagnosis. Prompt treatment with corticosteroid in large doses followed by a lower maintenance dose is important to prevent vascular complications.