Upper limb inflammatory arteriopathy in giant cell arteritis: six cases.

We report 6 cases of upper limb involvement in giant cell arteritis; upper limb involvement revealed the disease in 4 cases and clinical symptoms were present in 5 (upper limb pain, Raynaud's phenomenon). Upper limb pulses we re unpalpable and blood pressure unmeasurable in all. Duplex ultrasonograph y found signs of inflammatory arteriopathy in 4 cases (hypoechogenous halo of the arterial wall and acceleration of flow velocity). Arteriography was performed in 5 cases and showed long and regular stenoses. In the last case , arteriography was not done because the duplex exploration gave an undoubt ful diagnosis. With this technique, the diagnosis of upper limb involvement , frequent in autopsy series of giant cell arteritis, might be made more of ten. Corticosteroid therapy is indicated and surgery should be discussed on ly in emergency situations.