Temporal arteritis is a serious disorder that causes chronic inflammation of the large and medium arteries of the head, which supplies vital oxygenated blood to portions of the head and brain. Temporal arteritis often affects the temporal arteries, which run over the temple areas next to the eye. Inflammation of these arteries results in an inability to adequately supply oxygen and nutrients to the brain and head areas. Temporal arteritis can lead to serious complications, such as blindness and stroke, especially if it is not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Temporal arteritis is also called giant cell arteritis and cranial arteritis. Temporal arteritis is believed to be an autoimmune disorder. In an autoimmune disorder the body's immune system sees normal cells and tissues of the body as potentially dangerous invaders and attacks them, causing inflammation. It is not known what causes this to happen in many cases of temporal arteritis. However, the aging process probably plays a role in its development, and most people with the disorder are over 50 years of age. Temporal arteritis is far more common in women than in men.
Temporal arteritis is a relatively uncommon disorder, but it is the most common cause of vasculitis. Temporal arteritis results in a wide variety of neurological symptoms that can affect the eyes, vision, head, face, and the body in general. Temporal arteritis is treatable, but if left untreated can result in serious complications. For more information on symptoms and complications, refer to symptoms of temporal arteritis.
Making a diagnosis of temporal arteritis begins with taking a thorough medical history, including symptoms, and completing a physical examination, including an eye exam. Blood tests include a complete blood test (CBC) and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which can detect if an inflammatory process is occurring in the body.
An eye examination can include a variety of tests, such as a visual acuity test to check the sharpness of vision. A visual acuity test involves reading an eye chart located at a specific distance across the room. A visual field test checks sight on the peripheral (side) areas of vision. Special eye drops may also be used to enlarge the pupil of the eye so that the physician can look directly into the eyes with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope and evaluate the health of the retina and optic nerve. Special dyes might be used in the eyes to reveal dry spots and damage to the cornea (corneal abrasion or corneal ulcer).
A temporal artery biopsy is the definitive diagnostic test performed for suspected temporal arteritis. A temporal artery biopsy involves taking a small sample of the temporal artery and examining it under a microscope for inflammatory changes that indicate temporal arteritis.
Other tests are performed to evaluate general health and help to determine damage to the brain and complications that may be caused by suspected temporal arteritis. For example, imaging tests, such as CT scan and MRI, can detect damage that has occurred in the brain due to temporal arteritis.
It is possible that a diagnosis of temporal arteritis can be missed or delayed because symptoms can be vague and similar to symptoms of other disorders, diseases and conditions. For more information on misdiagnosis and disorders that can mimic temporal arteritis, refer to misdiagnosis of temporal arteritis.
Temporal arteritis is controllable, even curable with medications. Treatment can reduces the risk of developing serious complications, such as blindness and stroke. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of temporal arteritis. ...more »
Temporal arteritis: Temporal arteritis (also called cranial or giant cell arteritis) is an inflammation of the temporal artery (which runs over the temple, beside the eye) ... more about Temporal arteritis.
Temporal arteritis: Inflamed head artery causing headache. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Temporal arteritis is available below.
The types of symptoms of temporal arteritis vary between individuals. Manifestations generally affect the nervous system but can also affect other areas of the body. Temporal arteritis is treatable, but if left untreated, complications can be serious, even life-threatening.
The most common symptoms of temporal arteritis include headache, jaw pain with ...more symptoms »
Temporal arteritis is very treatable and even curable in many cases. Treatment can reduce and eliminate symptoms and minimize the develoment of serious complications, such as stroke and permanent blindness. However, once complications have developed, they are generally permanent. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to preventing serious complications.
Treatment generally ...more treatments »
Pinpointing a diagnosis of temporal arteritis can be difficult because symptoms can be vague and widespread and vary between different cases. In addition, a diagnosis of temporal arteritis may be delayed or missed because symptoms are similar to symptoms of other underlying causes of vasculitis, such as temporal arteritis, Behcet's syndrome, ...more misdiagnosis »
See full list of 49 symptoms of Temporal arteritis
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Prognosis for Temporal arteritis: The prognosis for individuals with temporal arteritis is generally good. With treatment, most individuals achieve complete remission, however vision loss may be irreversible. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Vasculitis including Temporal Arteritis Information Page: NINDS) ... Most people with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis lead productive, active lives. The duration of drug treatment differs by patient. Once treatment is discontinued, polymyalgia may recur; but once again, symptoms respond rapidly to prednisone. When properly treated, giant cell arteritis rarely recurs. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis: NIAMS)
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Temporal arteritis (also called cranial or giant cell arteritis) is an inflammation of the temporal artery (which runs over the temple, beside the eye). (Source: excerpt from NINDS Vasculitis including Temporal Arteritis Information Page: NINDS)
Giant cell arteritis, also known as temporal arteritis and cranial arteritis, is a disorder that results in 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 good prognosis. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis: NIAMS)
Arteritis, an inflammation of certain arteries in the head, primarily affects people over age 50. Symptoms include throbbing headache, fever, and loss of appetite. Some patients experience blurring or loss of vision. Prompt treatment with corticosteroid drugs helps to relieve symptoms. (Source: excerpt from Headache -- Hope Through Research: NINDS)
Temporal arteritis causes the arteries in the temple area of the forehead to become swollen. It can begin with a severe headache, pain when chewing, and tenderness in the temple area. It may be followed in a few weeks by sudden vision loss. Other symptoms can include shaking, weight loss, and low-grade fever. Scientists don’t know the cause of temporal arteritis, but they think it may be a disorder of the immune system. Early treatment with medication can help prevent vision loss in one or both eyes. (Source: excerpt from Aging and Your Eyes -- Age Page -- Health Information: NIA)
Subacute, granulomatous arteritis involving the external carotid arteries, especially the temporal artery; occurs in elderly persons and may be manifested by constitutional symptoms, particularly severe headache, and sometimes sudden unilateral blindness; shares many of the symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica. - (Source - Diseases Database)
Inflammation of the temporal arteries; characterized by headaches and difficulty chewing and (sometimes) visual impairment - (Source - WordNet 2.1)
Temporal arteritis is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of
Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH). This means that Temporal arteritis, or a subtype of Temporal arteritis,
affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Ophanet, a consortium of European partners,
currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000.
They list Temporal arteritis as a "rare disease".
Source - Orphanet
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