GIANT-CELL (TEMPORAL) ARTERITIS AND SECONDARY RENAL AMYLOIDOSIS - REPORT OF 2 CASES

Renal involvement is unusual in giant cell (temporal) arteritis (GCA), Microscopic hematuria and minimal proteinuria responsive to steroid t herapy have been described as the most frequent renal alterations. The nephrotic syndrome in GCA has been rarely reported. We describe 2 cas es of GCA with nephrotic syndrome, one at the time of diagnosis, the o ther 2 years after treatment. Percutaneous renal biopsy in both cases disclosed secondary renal amyloidosis confirmed by permanganate sensit ivity and immunohistochemical analysis. To our knowledge, cases of GCA and secondary amyloidosis have not been reported.