Temporal Arteritis Flashcards
What is temporal arteritis also known as?
Giant cell arteritis
What is temporal arteritis?
A granulomatous vasculitis of large and medium-sized arteries
What arteries are primarily affected in temporal arteritis?
Branches of the external carotid artery
How common is temporal arteritis as a vasculitis?
It is the most common form of systemic vasculitis in adults
How does the pathology begin in temporal arteritis?
Dendritic cells in the vessel wall recruit T cells and macrophages to form granulomatous infiltrates
What immune mediators and cells are involved in temporal arteritis?
- Th17 cells
- IL-6
- IL-17
- IL-21
What can be used to suppress the inflammatory pathway in temporal arteritis?
Glucocorticoids
What are the risk factors for temporal arteritis?
- Age >50
- Female
- Genetic factors
- Smoking
- Atherosclerosis
- Northern European
Who should temporal arteritis be a differential in?
Anyone over 50 with headache, scalp tenderness, transient visual symptoms or unexplained facial pain
Headache is a presenting symptom in what percentage of patients with temporal arteritis?
85%
Where does the headache in temporal arteritis occur?
Temporal or occipital
How bad is the headache in temporal arteritis?
Usually severe
When may the headache in temporal arteritis be worse?
At night
What other symptoms may be present in temporal arteritis?
- Jaw claudication
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Malaise
- Sweats
- Fatigue
- Depression
When may jaw claudication in temporal arteritis be prominent?
When talking or eating