Case Report

Jaw Claudication in Primary Amyloidosis: Unusual Presentation of a Rare Disease

CHRISTOPHER H. CHURCHILL, ANDY ABRIL, MURLI KRISHNA, MARK L. CALLMAN, and WILLIAM W. GINSBURG

ABSTRACT.

We describe 2 patients with temporal artery biopsy-proven amyloidosis presenting with symptoms of jaw claudication, visual disturbance, and proximal muscle stiffness suggestive of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica. At the onset of disease, neither patient had other characteristic symptoms to suggest primary amyloid. We point out similarities between GCA and primary amyloid that can lead to confusion in diagnosis. (J Rheumatol 2003;30:2283-6)

Key Indexing Terms:

GIANT CELL ARTERITIS
POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA
PRIMARY AMYLOIDOSIS
JAW CLAUDICATION

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From the Divisions of Rheumatology and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida; and Premier Medical Group, Port Charlotte, Florida, USA.

C.H. Churchill, Medical Student; A. Abril, MD, Instructor of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology; M. Krishna, MD, Assistant Professor of Pathology; W.W. Ginsburg, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville; M.L. Callman, MD, Internist, Premier Medical Group.

Address reprint requests to Dr. W.W. Ginsburg, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224.

Submitted November 8, 2002; revision accepted February 24, 2003.

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