MyMediktor - Arteritis of the temporal artery or Horton's disease

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This is the damage caused by inflammation of the blood vessels that carry blood to the head. It is one of a number of diseases that falls under the umbrella term vasculitis. It presents in patients over the age of 50 and may affect up to 1% of the population.

It is caused by an autoimmune disorder; predisposition to suffer from it is genetically inherited.

The most common symptoms are a throbbing headache, fever, jaw ache and tiredness, and transient loss of vision.

It is diagnosed from the medical history, blood tests and biopsy of the temporal artery in the forehead.

It is treated with corticosteroids and low-doses of Acetylsalicylic Acid (aspirin).

Bibliographic references

William P Docken. Clinical manifestations of giant cell (temporal) arteritis. UpToDate, Septiembre 2016
Crowson CS. The lifetime risk of adult-onset rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Arthritis Rheum 2011; 63:633.
Gene G Hunder, MD. Diagnosis of giant cell (temporal) arteritis. UpToDate, Octubre 2014
Smetana GW. Does this patient have temporal arteritis? JAMA 2002; 287:92.
Gene G Hunder, MD. Treatment of giant cell (temporal) arteritis. UpToDate, Septiembre 2016

Author

Dr. Patricia Sánchez

Copyright

Symptoms

Headache

Tired jaw when chewing

Headache on the sides of the head

Sudden headache

Localized headache

Symptoms to watch out for

Pain that does not subside with analgesics.

Loss of vision

Self-care

Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Consult with your primary care physician regarding the prescription of oral corticosteroids.