Giant cell arteritis associated with mononeuritis multiplex and complement-activating 19S IgM rheumatoid factor.

Abstract

Giant cell arteritis is a necrotizing granulomatous arteritis of large arteries, especially the aorta and its branches. Mononeuritis multiplex is a peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy usually producing foot or wrist drop, commonly associated with necrotizing arteritis of small and medium-sized arteries. Rheumatoid vasculitis is an example of the latter type of arteritis associated with high-titer 19S IgM rheumatoid factor typically occurring in patients with long-standing erosive rheumatoid arthritis. This report describes a 71-year-old man with biopsy-proved giant cell arteritis, mononeuritis (foot drop) multiplex, and high-titer complement-activating rheumatoid factor without rheumatoid arthritis. Possible pathogenic relationships are discussed.

• Authors: D W Feigal, D L Robbins, J C Leek
• Journal: The American journal of medicine (Am J Med) Vol. 79 Issue 4 Pg. 495-500 (Oct 1985) ISSN: 0002-9343 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2996347 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulin M
• Rheumatoid Factor

Topics

• Aged
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid
• Complement Activation
• Giant Cell Arteritis (complications, immunology)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin M (immunology)
• Male
• Neuritis (complications, immunology)
• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases (complications, immunology)
• Radioimmunoassay
• Rheumatoid Factor (immunology)