Temporal arteritis

Temporal arteritis: Introduction

Temporal arteritis: Temporal arteritis (also called cranial or giant cell arteritis) is an inflammation of the temporal artery (which runs over the temple, beside ... more about Temporal arteritis.

Temporal arteritis: Inflamed head artery causing headache. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Temporal arteritis is available below.

Symptoms of Temporal arteritis

• Local symptoms of inflamed temporary artery:
  • Headache
  • Throbbing headache
  • Temple pain
  • Swollen temporal arteries
• more symptoms...»

See full list of 53 symptoms of Temporal arteritis

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Temporal arteritis:

• High Blood Pressure: Home Testing
  • Home Blood Pressure Hypertension Tests
  • Home Blood Pressure Monitors
  • Home Heart Tests
• Heart Health: Home Testing:
  • Heart Rate Monitors
  • Irregular Heartbeat Detection
  • Heart Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Home Blood Pressure Testing
  • Home Cholesterol Testing
• more tests...»

Temporal arteritis: Complications

Review possible medical complications related to Temporal arteritis:

• Vision loss - from blood supply problems to the eyes
• Blindness
• See also complications of Polymyalgia rheumatica - many patients also have Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Permanent vision loss if untreated
• Cerebral vascular accident
• Coronary artery occlusion
• more complications...»

Medical Textbooks Online about Temporal arteritis

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Less Common Symptoms of Temporal arteritis

• Respiratory tract symptoms
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Hoarseness
• more symptoms...»

Read more about symptoms of Temporal arteritis

Diagnostic Tests for Temporal arteritis

• Temporal artery biopsy
• See also tests for Polymyalgia rheumatica - many patients also have Polymyalgia rheumatica
• more tests...»

Read more about tests for Temporal arteritis

Wrongly Diagnosed with Temporal arteritis?

• Misdiagnosis of Temporal arteritis
• Failure to diagnose Temporal arteritis
• Undiagnosed: Temporal arteritis

Temporal arteritis: Self Assessment Tools

• Stroke -- Self Assessment Tools
• Heart Attack -- Self Assessment Tools
• Stress -- Self Assessment Tools
• Smoking -- Self Assessment Tools
• Weight Management -- Self Assessment Tools
• Heart Disease -- Self Assessment Tools
• more tools...»

Temporal arteritis: Medical Mistakes

• Hypertension -- Health Mistakes
• Cholesterol -- Health Mistakes
• Obesity -- Health Mistakes
• Diabetes -- Health Mistakes
• Metabolic Syndrome -- Health Mistakes
• more mistakes...»

Temporal arteritis: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers

Products, offers and promotion categories available for Temporal arteritis:

• Dieting & Weight management: products & offers »
• Heart health products & offers »
• High cholesterol
• more product offers...»

Temporal arteritis: Undiagnosed Conditions

Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories:

• Chronic Major Diseases that are commonly Undiagnosed:
  • High Cholesterol -- Undiagnosed
  • Heart Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • Cancer -- Undiagnosed
  • Depression -- Undiagnosed
  • Type 2 Diabetes -- Undiagnosed
  • Type 1 Diabetes -- Undiagnosed
  • Hypertension -- Undiagnosed
  • Hemochromatosis -- Undiagnosed
  • Metabolic Syndrome -- Undiagnosed
• more undiagnosed conditions...»

Misdiagnosis and Temporal arteritis

Heart attacks can be undiagnosed: Although the most severe symptoms of heart attack are hard to miss, there are varying degrees of severity. It is altogether...read more »

Heart attacks can be overdiagnosed: Although many people die from heart attacks, there are also many cases where people fear that they have a heart attack, but actually have...read more »

Rare heart condition often undiagnosed: The rare heart condition called long QT syndrome can lead to episodes of palpitations and rapid heartbeat. In rare cases, this undiagnosed condition can be fatal. It...read more »

Heart attack can be over-diagnosed: Although heart attack is often undiagnosed, leading to fatality, it can also be over-diagnosed. People become concerned that a condition is a heart attack, whereas there are...read more »

Blood pressure cuffs misdiagnose hypertension in children: One known misdiagnosis issue with hyperension, arises in relation to the simple equipment used to test...read more »

Hypertension misdiagnosis common in children: Hypertension is often misdiagnosed in adults (see misdiagnosis of hypertension), but its misdiagnosis is even more likely in children. Some of the ...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Temporal arteritis

Temporal arteritis: Research Doctors & Specialists

Research related physicians and medical specialists:

• Cholesterol Specialists:
  • Clinical Lipidology (Cholesterol/Triglycerides)
  • Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism
• Cardiac (Heart) Specialists:
  • Cardiology (Heart specialists)
  • Pediatric Cardiology (Child Heart Specialists)
  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
• Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists:
  • Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat)
  • Pediatric Otolaryngology (Child Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist)
  • Otology / Neurotology (Ear/Hearing Specialists)
  • Plastic Surgery within the Head & Neck
• more specialists...»

Other doctor, physician and specialist research services:

• Rate Your Doctor Online
• Research Your Doctor Online
• Review Patient Surveys About Your Doctor
• Research local specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Hospitals & Clinics: Temporal arteritis

Research quality ratings and patient safety measures for medical facilities in specialties related to Temporal arteritis:

• Heart Health (Cardiac Care) -- Hospital Quality Ratings
• more hospital ratings...»

Hospital & Clinic quality ratings » »

Choosing the Best Hospital: More general information, not necessarily in relation to Temporal arteritis, on hospital performance and surgical care quality:

• 50 Best Hospitals Report
• Outstanding Patient Experinece Award Winning Hospitals
• Women's Health Best Hospitals
• Patient Safety
• Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence Study (2009)

Temporal arteritis: Rare Types

Rare types of diseases and disorders in related medical categories:

• Chronic Major Diseases -- Rare Types:
  • High Cholesterol -- Rare Types
  • Heart Disease -- Rare Types
  • Cancer -- Rare Types
  • Depression -- Rare Types
  • Type 2 Diabetes -- Rare Types
  • Type 1 Diabetes -- Rare Types
  • Hypertension -- Rare Types
  • Hemochromatosis -- Rare Types
  • Metabolic Syndrome -- Rare Types
• more rare diseases...»

Causes of Temporal arteritis

Read more about causes of Temporal arteritis.

Treatments for Temporal arteritis

• Corticosteroids - typically over 1 or 2 years.
• Immunosuppressants
• See also treatments for Polymyalgia rheumatica - many patients also have Polymyalgia rheumatica
• more treatments...»

Read more about treatments for Temporal arteritis

Evidence Based Medicine Research for Temporal arteritis

Medical research articles related to Temporal arteritis include:

• High incidence of severe ischaemic complications in patients with giant cell arteritis irrespective of platelet count and size, and platelet inhibition
• Risk factors for severe cranial ischaemic events in an Italian population-based cohort of patients with giant cell arteritis
• Does this patient with diabetes have osteomyelitis of the lower extremity?
• BASH guidance for primary care on who to image when brain tumour is suspected
• Temporal arteritis
• more research...»

Click here to find more evidence-based articles on the TRIP Database

Videos for Temporal arteritis

Patient Surveys for Temporal arteritis

• Patient Profile Survey
  Take Survey  View Results
• Survey about the symptoms of your Temporal arteritis
  Take Survey  View Results

Prognosis for Temporal arteritis

Prognosis for Temporal arteritis: The prognosis for individuals with temporal arteritis is generally good. With treatment, most individuals achieve complete remission, however vision loss may be irreversible. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Vasculitis including Temporal Arteritis Information Page: NINDS) ... Most people with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis lead productive, active lives. The duration of drug treatment differs by patient. Once treatment is discontinued, polymyalgia may recur; but once again, symptoms respond rapidly to prednisone. When properly treated, giant cell arteritis rarely recurs. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis: NIAMS)

More about prognosis of Temporal arteritis

Reseach about Temporal arteritis

Visit our research pages for current research about Temporal arteritis treatments.

Clinical Trials for Temporal arteritis

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Temporal arteritis include:

• Sensitivity and Specificity of Color Doppler Directed Temporal Artery Biopsy as Compared to Standard Random Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Temporal Arteritis - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Determining Disease Activity Biomarkers in Individuals With Giant Cell Arteritis - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Phase II Randomized Study of Glucocorticoids With or Without Methotrexate for Treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - methotrexate,prednisone
• Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients With Life Threatening Autoimmune Diseases - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - anti-thymocyte globulin,cyclophosphamide,cyclosporine,filgrastim,methylprednisolone,prednisone
• HECTHOR: Humira to Spare Steroids in Giant Cell Arteritis - This study is not yet open for patient recruitment (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - adalimumab
• more trials...»

See full list of 8 Clinical Trials for Temporal arteritis

Statistics for Temporal arteritis

• Medical statistics for Temporal arteritis
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Temporal arteritis
• Death and Mortality statistics for Temporal arteritis
• Society statistics for Temporal arteritis

Temporal arteritis: Broader Related Topics

• Vasculitis
• Artery conditions
• Arteritis
• Blood vessel conditions
• more types...»

Types of Temporal arteritis

Stories from Users Related to Temporal arteritis

• Like a giant rubber band squeezing my ribcage
• strange circular brown marks on thighs/arms
• Brown Discharge
• aching joints, polymyalgia rheumatica?
• ouch! hurts like a giant bruise in abdomen
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica
• polymyalgia
• brown discharge&unclear Ultrasound image
• light brown blotches on my chest, HELP PLEASE!!!
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica
• Swelling in the Temporal Area
• Thick brown vein like marks
• Reddish Brown parts on my scrotum.
• Temporal Arteritis - A MISSED DIAGNOSIS
• polymyalgia Rheumatica
• Temporal Arteritis
• Brown Discharge
• Temporal Arteritis - A MISSED DIAGNOSIS

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User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Temporal arteritis, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

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• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Article Excerpts about Temporal arteritis

NINDS Vasculitis including Temporal Arteritis Information Page: NINDS (Excerpt)

Temporal arteritis (also called cranial or giant cell arteritis) is an inflammation of the temporal artery (which runs over the temple, beside the eye). (Source: excerpt from NINDS Vasculitis including Temporal Arteritis Information Page: NINDS)

Questions and Answers About Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis: NIAMS (Excerpt)

Giant cell arteritis, also known as temporal arteritis and cranial arteritis, is a disorder that results in swelling of arteries in the head (most often the temporal arteries, which are located on the temples on each side of the head), neck, and arms. This swelling causes the arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow. Early treatment is critical for good prognosis. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis: NIAMS)

Headache - Hope Through Research: NINDS (Excerpt)

Arteritis, an inflammation of certain arteries in the head, primarily affects people over age 50. Symptoms include throbbing headache, fever, and loss of appetite. Some patients experience blurring or loss of vision. Prompt treatment with corticosteroid drugs helps to relieve symptoms. (Source: excerpt from Headache - Hope Through Research: NINDS)

Aging and Your Eyes - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)

Temporal arteritis causes the arteries in the temple area of the forehead to become swollen. It can begin with a severe headache, pain when chewing, and tenderness in the temple area. It may be followed in a few weeks by sudden vision loss. Other symptoms can include shaking, weight loss, and low-grade fever. Scientists don’t know the cause of temporal arteritis, but they think it may be a disorder of the immune system. Early treatment with medication can help prevent vision loss in one or both eyes. (Source: excerpt from Aging and Your Eyes - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)

Definitions of Temporal arteritis:

Subacute, granulomatous arteritis involving the external carotid arteries, especially the temporal artery; occurs in elderly persons and may be manifested by constitutional symptoms, particularly severe headache, and sometimes sudden unilateral blindness; shares many of the symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica. - (Source - Diseases Database)

Inflammation of the temporal arteries; characterized by headaches and difficulty chewing and (sometimes) visual impairment - (Source - WordNet 2.1)

Temporal arteritis is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Temporal arteritis, or a subtype of Temporal arteritis, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Ophanet, a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Temporal arteritis as a "rare disease".
Source - Orphanet