Breast lesions as the presenting feature of giant cell arteritis

Background: Giant cell arteritis most commonly involves the external carotid branches. Although they are less typical, extra-cephalic forms have also been reported.

Methods: We report the case of a 59-year-old female patient who developed bilateral, painful breast nodules with fever and altered general status since two months. Two weeks later, she presented frontal headache and scalp tenderness. A colour duplex ultrasound of the temporal artery showed a halo sign. The results of a breast needle biopsy were inconclusive but the temporal artery biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. The disease course was rapidly favourable after institution of corticosteroids. Background: Breast involvement is rare but could be the first sign of giant cell arteritis. The internal mammary artery, which is a branch of the subclavian artery, can be affected and responsible for breast nodules.