What Is Temporal Arteritis?
Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis and cranial arteritis, is a disorder that results in the swelling of arteries in the head (most often the temporal arteries, which are located on the temples on each side of the head), neck, and arms. This swelling causes the arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow. Early treatment is critical for a good prognosis.
Temporal arteritis is quite common. In the United States, an estimated 200 out of every 100,000 people over the age of 50 develop this condition.
The fact that temporal arteritis is rare in people under the age of 50 suggests that it may be linked to the aging process. Also, about half of the people affected by the condition also have
polymyalgia rheumatica. At this point, though, research scientists are not sure there is a direct connection between the two.
Temporal Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica
It is unclear how or why temporal arteritis and
polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are related, but about half of the people affected by temporal arteritis also have polymyalgia rheumatica.
An estimated 15 percent of people in the United States with polymyalgia rheumatica also develop temporal arteritis. People can develop temporal arteritis either at the same time as polymyalgia rheumatica or after the polymyalgia symptoms disappear.
Symptoms of Temporal Arteritis
Symptoms of temporal arteritis may develop rapidly -- in some people, overnight. In other people, symptoms develop more gradually. Common symptoms include:
- One-sided severe headache
- Pain in the temples, especially when chewing
- Tenderness in the temple area
- Blurred or double vision
- Pain in the jaw and tongue
- Low-grade fever
- Body aches
- Muscle pain
- Stiffness
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Confusion
- Depression
- Anemia
- Vision loss
- Sweats
- Dementia (in rare cases).
These possible symptoms are not sure signs of temporal arteritis. Other problems can also cause these symptoms. Anyone with potential symptoms should see their doctor so that the problem can be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.
No single test is available to definitively diagnose temporal arteritis. To make a diagnosis, a physician considers the person's medical history, including reported symptoms, results of the physical exam, blood tests that can rule out other possible diagnoses, and results of other procedures, including a
temporal artery biopsy.
Treating Temporal Arteritis
Temporal arteritis carries a small but definite risk of blindness. This blindness is permanent once it happens. In order to prevent this,
temporal arteritis treatment uses a high dose of
prednisone, which is a corticosteroid medicine. This treatment should be started as soon as possible, perhaps even before the diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy.
Prognosis for Temporal Arteritis
The prognosis for individuals with temporal arteritis is generally good. With treatment, most individuals achieve complete remission. If untreated, the condition can lead to serious complications, including permanent vision loss and
stroke.
