Temporal arteritis giant cell arteritis is where the arteries, particularly those at the side of the head the temples , become inflamed. It's serious and needs urgent treatment. More general symptoms are also common — for example, flu-like symptoms, unintentional weight loss, depression and tiredness.
About 2 in 5 people with temporal arteritis also develop polymyalgia rheumatica. This causes pain, stiffness and inflammation in the muscles around the shoulders, neck and hips. It can lead to serious problems like stroke and blindness if not treated quickly.
They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one. Go to Certain genes and environmental factors might increase your susceptibility to the condition. Aortic aneurysm. An aneurysm is a bulge that forms in a weakened blood vessel, usually in the large artery that runs down the center of your chest and abdomen aorta.
An aortic aneurysm might burst, causing life-threatening internal bleeding. Because this complication can occur even years after the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis, your doctor might monitor your aorta with annual chest X-rays or other imaging tests, such as ultrasound and CT. Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced. See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients.
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Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Giant cell arteritis is an inflammation of the lining of your arteries. Giant cell arteritis Open pop-up dialog box Close.
Giant cell arteritis Giant cell arteritis causes inflammation of certain arteries, especially those near the temples. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Medical Solutions Found Where a Medical Career Began Cori and John Kirkpatrick For Cori Kirkpatrick, going back to the place where her husband received his medical training brought with it a well of emotions -- excitement, nostalgia, anxiety.
Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Docken WP, et al. A doctor will consider the symptoms the patient describes, ask questions, and explore other possibilities.
They will also do a physical examination. Treatment may begin before the results of a biopsy, because of the risk of vision loss. Each one runs over the part of the skull that is above and around the ear. The two arteries themselves run up in front of the ear.
They branch off from the two main blood supplies to the head from the heart. This leads to inflammation. When the blood vessel lining becomes inflamed, giant cell lesions can form. These giant cells form when numerous immune cells fuse together. These immune cells are a type of white blood cell. Giant cells also play a role in tuberculosis TB , leprosy, some fungal infections, and other conditions.
Why some people develop temporal arteritis is not fully understood. It is also unclear why some groups are more at risk than others. Age is a risk factor. The average age at which GCA starts is 70 years. Polymyalgia rheumatica PMR is a form of inflammation that affects the whole body. Symptoms include aching and stiffness, especially in the neck, shoulders, upper arms, and around the pelvis. Like GCA, it is also more common in people aged over 55 years and affects more women than men.
According to Arthritis Research UK, about 15 percent of people with polymyalgia rheumatica PMR also develop temporal arteritis, and 40 to 60 percent of those with temporal arteritis also have PMR. Systemic vasculitis is related to temporal arteritis because the inflammation of cranial arteries is one form of vasculitis. Systemic vasculitis refers to a range of disorders that involve inflammation and damage to blood vessel walls that can lead to tissue death.
The different types are classified and managed according to the blood vessel size affected — large, medium, or small — and the area of effect, such as on an organ. People with a northern European background show a higher risk of developing temporal arteritis. The exact reason is not clear. One study into rates of temporal arteritis in the United States looked at where the population is largely made up of that ethnic background: Minnesota.
Studying Olmsted County in particular, the researchers found that the rate here was as high as in Sweden, a country with one of the highest rates of temporal arteritis. Over a year period, the study found that there were almost 20 cases for every , in people across that time. In the Mediterranean region, the number of cases is low. In northern Italy, where temporal arteritis is at its lowest, there are 6. The authors wrote that the north-south divide could be due to environmental, genetic or ethnic factors.
However, average rates of temporal arteritis in the population overall are relatively low, although they are more common in older people. Treatment will normally start at once, possibly before biopsy results are confirmed, to reduce the risk of complications. The person may need to see a specialist doctor. High-dose corticosteroid drugs have been the standard treatment since the s, but recently, another drug was approved : Actemra.
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