Giant Cell Arteritis

Overview

Journal Curr Pain Headache Rep

Date 2006 Nov 8

PMID 17087865

Citations 4

Authors

Todd J Schwedt

David W Dodick

Richard J Caselli

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Giant cell, or temporal, arteritis is a vasculitis of the medium and large arteries that preferentially involves vessels originating from the arch of the aorta. Classically, this disease manifests in an older individual with new-onset persistent headache, an abnormal temporal artery on examination, and increased serum inflammatory markers. The level of clinical suspicion for giant cell arteritis should be based upon patient age, clinical symptoms, and laboratory evaluation. However, the diagnostic gold standard is achieved by histologic confirmation by temporal artery biopsy. Prompt treatment with corticosteroids is essential in order to minimize the frequency of permanent sequelae such as visual loss and stroke.

Citing Articles

Giant Cell Arteritis: A Case-Based Narrative Review of the Literature.

Thomas D, Thomas P, Pillai D, Joseph D, Lingaiah U, Mathai B Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2022; 26(10):725-740.

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Headache attributable to disorders of the eye.

Friedman D, Gordon L, Quiros P Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2010; 14(1):62-72.

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Headache and the eye.

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An approach to the patient with painful ophthalmoplegia, with a focus on Tolosa-Hunt syndrome.

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