Giant cell arteritis: controversial issues

Giant cell arteritis is the most common vasculitis in adults. The author presents the latest findings in diagnostics and treatment emphasising the growing importance of non-invasive examination methods where a biopsy of the temporal artery is no longer considered the only possible examination that confirms the diagnosis. He emphasises the importance of early diagnosis and initiation of treatment and also points out difficulties in treatment, especially frequent relapses. In addition to glucocorticoids, modern drugs influencing the decisive factors in the pathogenesis of inflammation are beginning to gain ground in treatment. Despite of new findings, there is a number of controversial issues remaining that the author addresses in more details: from terminology and epidemiology to diagnosis and treatment.