INFORMATION ON TEMPORAL ARTERITIS

Temporal arteritis, also called giant cell arteritis is an inflammatory disease of blood vessels. It is therefore a form of vasculitis. The name comes from the most frequently involved vessel Inflamed head artery causing headache.

Temporal arteritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the medium-sized blood vessels that supply the head, eyes, and optic nerves. The disease usually affects those over 60 years of age and causes the vessels in the temple and scalp to become swollen and tender. Women are approximately 4 times more likely to suffer from these disease then men. The major concern with temporal arteritis is vision loss, although if allowed to progress, it may affect arteries in other areas of the body. This condition is potentially vision threatening, however, if treated promptly, permanent vision loss can be prevented. Vision is threatened when the inflamed arteries obstruct blood flow to the eyes and optic nerves. If untreated, permanent vision loss can occur from oxygen deprivation to the retina and optic nerve.

SYNONYMS OF TEMPORAL ARTERITIS

Syndrome Synonyms and related keywords:

1. Giant cell arteritis,
2. Systemic vasculitis,
3. Arteritis Cranialis

CAUSES OF TEMPORAL ARTERITIS

Temporal arteritis occurs when there is inflammation and necrosis of one or more arteries. It most commonly occurs in the head, especially in the temporal arteries that branch from the carotid artery of the neck. However, it can be systemic, affecting multiple medium-to-large sized arteries anywhere in the body.
The cause is unknown but is assumed to be, at least in part, an effect of the immune response. The disorder has been associated with severe infections and high doses of antibiotics. The symptoms occur because of inflammation.
About 25% of people with giant cell arteritis also experience polymyalgia rheumatica

SYMPTOMS OF TEMPORAL ARTERITIS

Patients with temporal arteritis usually notice visual symptoms in one eye at first, but as many as 50% may notice symptoms in the fellow eye within days if the condition is untreated.

1. Headache
2. Tenderness of scalp
3. Pain in temple area
4. Transient blurred vision
5. Loss of appetite, Fever, Fatigue
6. Depression
7. Drooping lid
8. Double vision
9. Sore neck, Jaw soreness, especially when chewing food

DIAGNOSIS OF TEMPORAL ARTERITIS

1. Liver function tests
2. Temporal artery biopsy
3. ultrasound

TREATMENT OF TEMPORAL ARTERITIS

1. A steroid medicine such as prednisolone is the usual treatment. Steroids work by reducing inflammation.
2. A high dose of steroid is started at first, usually about 40 mg per day. This is then reduced gradually to a lower 'maintenance' dose. It may take several months to gradually reduce the dose.
3. If blindness has occurred as a symptom it is usually irreversible, which only emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment.