What is temporal arteritis?

What is temporal arteritis?

The term “temporal arteritis” is sometimes used to refer to giant cell arteritis (GCA) but this term is not appropriate. In fact, GCA does not consistently affect the temporal artery (TA) and other types of vasculitis or non-inflammatory diseases may affect TA.

How does the superficial temporal artery supply the temporal bone?

After traversing the parotid gland, it runs superficially to the zygomatic process of the temporal bone. When the superficial temporal artery enters the scalp in the temporal region, it gives off two terminal branches that supply the skin and pericranium of the frontal and parietal regions.

How specific is arterial duplex in the diagnosis of temporal arteritis?

The ROC curve analysis showed a sensitivity of 53.3% and 20.0%, and specificity of 91.9% and 100% for presence of a halo and occlusion of the TA on duplex, respectively. Conclusions: Arterial duplex is a moderately sensitive but highly specific test for exclusion of temporal arteritis.

What are the possible complications of temporal artery disease (Tad)?

It may have serious systemic, neurologic, and ophthalmic consequences as it may lead to impaired vision and blindness. Definitive diagnosis is made after histopathologic analysis of a superficial temporal artery (TA) biopsy, which requires a small surgical procedure often under local anesthesia.

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).

Which medications are used in the treatment of temporal arteritis?

The mainstay of therapy for temporal arteritis is glucocorticoids, such as oral prednisone. Patients sometimes need to take glucorticoids for up to two years, sometimes longer; the dosage is gradually reduced over this period.

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.

How do I know if my temporal artery is inflamed?

You may need a biopsy of the temporal artery. If so, your doctor will numb an area of your scalp and remove a small piece of the temporal artery. A doctor will then check it under a microscope. The cells of an inflamed artery look very large under the microscope.