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Temporal arteritis is inflammation and damage to blood vessels that supply the head area, particularly the large or medium arteries that branch from the neck.
If the inflammation affects the arteries in your neck, upper body and arms, it is called giant cell arteritis.
Alternative NamesArteritis - temporal; Cranial arteritis; Giant cell arteritis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsTemporal, giant cell, and cranial arteritis occur when one or more arteries become inflammed and die.
It most commonly occurs in the head, especially in the temporal arteries that branch off from a blood vessel in the neck called the carotid artery. However, the condition can be a body-wide (systemic) disorder, affecting many medium-to-large sized arteries anywhere in the body.
The cause is unknown but is believed to be partly due to a faulty immune response. The disorder has been associated with severe infections and high doses of antibiotics.
The disorder may develop along with or after polymyalgia rheumatica. Giant cell arteritis is seen almost exclusively in those over 50 years old, but may occasionally occur in younger people. It is rare in people of African descent. There is some evidence that it runs in families.
Symptoms- Excessive sweating
- Fever
- General ill feeling
- Jaw pain, intermittent or when chewing
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle aches
- Throbbing headache on one side of the head or the back of the head
- Scalp sensitivity, tenderness when touching the scalp
- Vision difficulties
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Reduced vision (blindness in one or both eyes)
- Weakness, excessive tiredness
- Weight loss (more than 5% of total body weight)
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
About 40% of people will have other nonspecific symptoms such as respiratory complaints (most frequently dry cough) or weakness or pain along many nerve areas. Rarely, paralysis of eye muscles may occur. A persistent fever may be the only symptom.
Signs and testsThe doctor will examine your head. Touching the head may show that the scalp is sensitive and has a tender, thick artery on one side. The affected artery may have a weak pulse or no pulse.
Blood tests may include:
- Hemoglobin or hematocrit -- may be normal or low
- Liver function tests -- may be abnormal with high levels of alkaline phosphatase
- Sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein -- almost always very high
Blood tests cannot specifically diagnose this condition. A biopsy and examination of tissue from the affected artery confirm the diagnosis in most cases.
TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to reduce tissue damage that may occur because of lack of blood flow.
Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Corticosteroid treatment may be started even before a biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Aspirin may also be recommended.
Medications that suppress the immune system are occasionally prescribed.
Expectations (prognosis)Most people make a full recovery, but long-term treatment (for 1 to 2 years or longer) may be needed. The condition may return at a later date.
ComplicationsPossible complications, especially if not treated properly or promptly, include:
Side effects from steroid or immune-suppressing medications may also occur.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have persistent throbbing headache and other symptoms of temporarl arteritis.
PreventionThere is no known prevention.
ReferencesPaget SA, Spiera RF. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Temporal Arteritis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 292.
What else can I help you with?
What are the symptoms of temporal arteritis?
Temporal Arteritis is an uncommon inflammatory disease, that can be very serious. Headache, changes in vision and jaw pain can be symptoms of Temporal Arteritis.
Can Temporal Arteritis kill you?
Yes, Temporal Arteritis can kill you by causing a heart attack.
What is Temporal arteritis also called?
It is also known as giant cell arteritis
What has the author Louis A Healey written?
Louis A. Healey has written: 'The systemic manifestations of temporal arteritis' -- subject(s): Complications, Giant cell arteritis, Ocular manifestations of general diseases, Polymyalgia rheumatica, Temporal arteritis
What population groups tend to get temporal arteritis?
Temporal arteritis almost always occurs in people over 50, and it becomes more common as people age. About 20 out of 100,000 people over the age of 50 suffer from temporal arteritis. Women are affected twice as often as men.
Why does top of head hurt when touched?
Temporal arteritis is a condition that can cause tender spots on the head. Temporal arteritis is inflammation of the vessels that supply blood to the neck and head region.
What are the characteristics of temporal arteritis?
Patients with temporal arteritis are diagnosed and overlap with a broader disorder called giant cell arteritis. This can affect parts of the body in addition to the scalp, eyes, and jaw. Sometimes the disease can cause restricted circulation.
Swollen temples are a sign of what?
Swollen temples could be a sign of temporal arteritis (also called cranial or giant cell arteritis) which is an inflammation of the temporal artery (which runs over the temple, beside the eye).
What specialist kind of Dr should you see if you have temporal arteritis?
neurosurgeon or cardiovascular surgeon
What other diseases may those with polymyalgia rheumatica also develop?
Some patients develop arthritis or a disease called giant cell arteritis or temporal arteritis.
What is the medical term meaning inflammation of an artery or arteries known as?
Arteritis is the medical term meaning inflammation of an artery. For instance, temporal arteritis is inflammation of the temporal artery.
What is temporal artheritis?
Temporal arteritis is an inflammation of the blood vessels usually caused by some sort of damage or injury. These blood vessels are the ones that supply blood to the head.
