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).

Should I talk to my doctor about temporal arteritis?

Temporal arteritis can cause very serious complications, but seeking immediate medical attention and treatment can reduce the risk of developing these complications. These symptoms can also occur due to other conditions. You should call your doctor anytime you’re worried about any symptoms you’re experiencing.

Which vasculitides cause vasculitis of the superficial temporal artery?

Other vasculitides such as polyarteritis nodosa, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, Wegener’s), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (eGPA) and Takayasu arteritis rarely cause vasculitis of the superficial temporal artery.

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.

How is temporal arteritis (tar) diagnosed?

The gold standard for diagnosis is tissue confirmation from a temporal artery biopsy. At the same time, the presence of elevated inflammatory markers such as an ESR or CRP, in combination with symptoms and clinical signs outlined above, may be suggestive of temporal arteritis.

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 are the American College of Rheumatology criteria for temporal arteritis?

The American College of Rheumatology criteria for the diagnosis of temporal arteritis include the following 13: Using the American College of Rheumatology criteria, the presence of 3 or more of the 5 is sufficient to make a diagnosis of temporal arteritis with a sensitivity of 93.5% and specificity of 91.2%.