A 65-year-old male complains of a headache that feels "like a knife is cutting into my head." He also reports feeling right-sided scalp and facial pain, and seeing double at times. He has a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. His medications include a beta blocker, statin drug, and ACE inhibitor. On physical examination, you note palpable tenderness over the right side of the forehead. There are no neurological deficits. Vision is 20/20 with lenses. No weakness of extremities. Cranial nerves II to XII are intact. The history corresponds to which of the following disorders?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described, including the "knife-like" headache, right-sided scalp and facial pain, and the palpable tenderness over the right side of the forehead, along with the patient's age, are characteristic of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). GCA is a vasculitis that predominantly affects older adults and can lead to serious complications like vision loss if not treated promptly.

A 65-Year-Old Male Complains of a Headache That Feels "Like