What is temporal arteritis?
Temporal Arteritis Menu. Temporal arteritis is a form of vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels). In temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis or Horton’s arteritis, the temporal arteries (the blood vessels near the temples), which supply blood from the heart to the scalp, are inflamed (swollen) and constricted (narrowed).
What are the NICE guidelines on the management of temporal arteritis?
Current NICE guidelines recommend the following ongoing management of temporal arteritis: Gradually taper the dose of prednisolone down to zero over a period of 12-18 months. The patient should be monitored regularly after diagnosis.
What is the prevalence of lower extremity arterial involvement in temporal artery disease?
Lower extremity arterial involvement is less common. Extracranial involvement may occur in association with cranial involvement or even in the absence of cranial involvement. Up to 50% of these patients do not have the typical cranial symptoms and have a negative temporal artery biopsy.
Can temporal arteritis cause PMR?
The cause of PMR is unknown but it’s sometimes related to a viral illness that may cause the immune system to increase inflammation. There are some people who’ll have temporal arteritis and also develop symptoms of PMR, and how and why the two conditions overlap is unknown. Both conditions respond to oral steroids.
What is the difference between temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica?
Often, temporal arteritis can be associated with an entity called polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), which is an inflammatory condition affecting the shoulders, hip girdle and neck. This leads to significant stiffness and pain. PMR is far more common than temporal arteritis, but up to 30 percent of temporal arteritis patients have PMR.
What tests are done to diagnose temporal arteritis?
If temporal arteritis is suspected, the doctor may order a biopsy, in which a small piece of the artery is removed and examined for evidence of inflammation within the vessels. Other tests that are sometimes necessary include: