This is the histopathology of an artery taken from a patient with 
sudden visual loss.

a. What does the picture show?

b. What blood tests may be positive?

c. What ocular signs may be present?

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This is the histopathology of an artery taken from a patient with 
sudden visual loss.

a. What does the picture show?

The histology shows focal granulomatous inflammation and narrowing
of the arterial lumen. This is typical of giant cell arteritis.

b. What blood tests may be positive?

• The ESR and C-reactive proteins are typically raised.
• There may be normochromic normocytic anaemia.
• There is usually a thrombocytaemia.

c. What  ocular signs may be present?

• Ischaemic optic neuropathy resulting from posterior ciliary 
• artery occlusion
• Central retinal artery occlusion
• Amaurosis fugax
• Cortical blindness
• Anterior segment ischaemia.

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