Bilateral axillary arterial obstruction.

A 74-year-old patient with longstanding diabetes mellitus and hypertension presented with obstruction in both axillary arteries. Although atherosclerotic obstructive disease would have been the most likely diagnosis in this patient, clinical findings were highly suggestive of extracranial giant-cell arteritis. Prompt treatment with systemic corticosteroids resulted in an excellent clinical response, avoiding the risks of endovascular or surgical intervention.