Condition Info - BotMed Application

ConditionName

Giant cell (temporal) arteritis

ConditionDescription

Large vessel vasculitis. Granulomatous arteritis of the aorta and its major branches, with a predilection for the extracranial branches of the carotid artery; often involves the temporal artery; associated with polymyalgia rheumatica

Symptoms

Visual disturbance; Diplopia; 
Jaw claudication – jaw muscle pain when chewing;
Scalp tenderness;
Headache;
Muscle pain, fatigue, weakness;

PhysicalFindings

Visual loss, temporal area tenderness

ClinicalTests

Diagnostic test:
Elevated ESR

Most accurate test:
Biopsy of affected artery 

Decreased arm pulses, bruits near clavicles, aortic regurgitation

ESR and C-RP elevated, not specific

CT – 95% sensitive, lumber puncture for 5% with false negative result

RiskFactors

IsRedFlag

IsNPLEX

Consequence

Blindness is irreversible; Blindness (secondary to ophthalmic artery vasculitis);
Jaw claudication;

ProgressionFromCondition

15% of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica have temporal arteritis.

TreatmentOptions

PharmOptions

Prednisone – before result of biopsy

WebLink

https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/vasculitis/giant-cell-arteritis