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Alternative names Return to top
Arteritis - temporal; Cranial arteritis; Giant cell arteritisDefinition Return to top
Temporal arteritis is a disorder involving inflammation and damage to blood vessels, particularly the large or medium arteries that branch from the external carotid artery of the neck.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Giant cell, cranial, or temporal arteritis occurs when there is inflammation and necrosis (death of the tissues) 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.Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
When the doctor feels (palpates) the head, the scalp is sensitive and often shows a tender, thick artery on one side of the head. The affected artery may have a weakened pulse or no pulse. About 40% of people will have other nonspecific symptoms such as respiratory complaints (most frequently dry cough) or mononeuritis multiplex (weakness and/or pain of multiple individual nerve groups). Rarely, paralysis of eye muscles) may occur. A persistant fever may be the only symptom.Treatment Return to top
The goal of treatment is to minimize irreversible tissue damage that may occur because of lack of blood flow (ischemia).Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Most people make a full recovery, but prolonged treatment, for 1 to 2 years, may be necessary. Recurrence is possible for several years.Complications Return to top
Possible complications, especially if not treated properly or promptly, include:
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if persistent throbbing headache and other symptoms that indicate giant cell arteritis occur.Prevention Return to top
There is no known prevention. Update Date: 8/3/2003 Updated by: Megan Clowse, M.D., Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |