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Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
Which one of the following clinical features is not characteristic of giant cell aeritis?
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The correct answer is  Giant cell aeritis (GCA) is a granulomatous aeritis that affects any large (including aoa) and medium-sized aeries. It is commonly associated with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), which presents with symmetrical, immobility-associated neck and shoulder girdle pain and stiffness. Clinical features The cardinal symptom of GCA is headache, which is often localised to the temporal or occipital region and may be accompanied by scalp tenderness. Jaw pain develops in some patients, brought on by chewing or talking. Visual disturbance can occur (most specifically amaurosis) and a catastrophic presentation is with blindness in one eye due to occlusion of the posterior ciliary aery. On fundoscopy, the optic disc may appear pale and swollen with haemorrhages, but these changes may take 24-36 hours to develop and the fundi may initially appear normal. Rarely, neurological involvement may occur, with transient ischaemic attacks, brainstem infarcts and hemiparesis. In GCA, constitutional symptoms, such as weight loss, fatigue, malaise and night sweats, are common. With PMR, there may be stiffness and painful restriction of active shoulder movements on waking. Muscles are not otherwise tender, and weakness and muscle-wasting are absent . Ref Davidsons 23e p1042