Visual loss mimicking a treated temporal arteritis relapse.
We describe a patient who, during tapering of corticosteroids prescribed for temporal arteritis (TA), developed nocardiosis that was mimicking a specific relapse. An isolated choroidal ischemia was thought to be a symptom of TA. Steroid therapy was intensified and, while on aggressive steroid therapy, the patient died of septic shock. Autopsy revealed occult disseminated nocardiosis with septic arteritis and apparently cured TA. Visual loss occurring during TA treatment should lead clinicians to consider a specific relapse as well as an opportunistic infection like nocardiosis.
Journal Article↗