Giant-cell arteritis

Giant-cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is an inflammatory disease of blood vessels. Most often, it affects the arteries of the head, especially those in the temples. For this reason, it is often called temporal arteritis.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of giant-cell arteritis are head pain and tenderness — often severe — that usually affects both temples. Other signs and symptoms, which can occur suddenly, include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Vision loss or double vision, particularly in one eye
• Jaw pain or facial, tongue or throat pain, especially when chewing
• Headache
• Tenderness over one or both sides of the forehead
• Occasional joint pain or stiffness
• Anemia

Causes

The exact cause of giant-cell arteritis is unknown. It is thought that a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as infections, play a role. The condition is related to an abnormal immune response that causes inflammation. This inflammation results in swelling and damage to blood vessels.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of giant-cell arteritis can be challenging because the disease's early symptoms resemble those of other common conditions. To help in diagnosing this condition, doctors may use the following tests:

• Blood tests
• Biopsy
• Imaging tests

Treatment

Treatment for giant-cell arteritis consists of high doses of a corticosteroid drug such as prednisone. Because immediate treatment is necessary to prevent vision loss, treatment often begins before a biopsy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

See also

• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Vasculitis
• Rheumatology

References

Giant-cell arteritis Resources
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