Giant cell arteritis "causing" AA-amyloidosis with rapid renal failure

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitic disease, which in very rare cases causes inflammatory complications such as secondary amyloidosis. We describe a well-documented case, with a clinically mild course, of biop sy-proven giant cell arteritis as the only apparent cause of systemic AA-Am yloidosis. The deterioration in renal function due to amyloid deposition oc curred rapidly and only a few months after manifestation of giant cell arte ritis and was not reversible by steroid treatment. The renal arteries were normal and there was no glomerulonephritis due to giant cell arteritis. Thi s unique case demonstrates that giant cell arteritis with a mild clinical c ourse is closely associated with early-onset severe secondary amyloidosis.