Arterial-embolic Strokes and Painless Vision Loss Due to Phase II Aortitis and Giant Cell Arteritis: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION: Aortitis refers to abnormal inflammation of the aorta, most commonly caused by giant cell arteritis (GCA). Herein, we present a 57-year-old female with aortitis and arterial-embolic strokes secondary to GCA. CASE REPORT: Our patient presented to the emergency department following an episode of transient, monocular, painless vision loss. Computed tomography angiogram head and neck demonstrated phase II aortitis, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed evidence of arterial-embolic strokes. CONCLUSION: Cerebrovascular accident is a rare complication of large-vessel vasculitis and can occur due to multiple underlying etiologies including intracranial vasculitis, aortic branch proximal occlusion, or arterial-embolic stroke.