Alternating amaurosis fugax and temporal arteritis.

PURPOSE: To describe a patient with alternating amaurosis fugax and the importance of this condition in diagnosing temporal arteritis.

METHODS

Case report of a 77-year-old man who had numerous episodes of transient alternating loss of vision for several days.

RESULTS

Temporal artery biopsy showed vasculitis with a giant cell component.

CONCLUSIONS

Alternating amaurosis fugax in an elderly patient suggests arteritis rather than atheromatous disease, and temporal artery biopsy should be considered.