Abnormal radionuclide liver scans in giant cell arteritis.

In the investigation of six patients with giant cell arteritis and abnormal liver function radionuclide liver scans were found to be abnormal in all. The abnormality may be due to arteritis of hepatic vessels. It is important to recognise that giant cell arteritis may cause liver scan abnormalities. If other pathology is suspected and corticosteroid treatment delayed while further investigations are carried out, patients are at risk of complications such as blindness.