Inflamed scalp artery

Description

Temporal arteritis or inflamed scalp artery is a type of vasculitis which causes inflammation of the arteries, primarily head arteries. It most often affects the temporal artery. Temporal artery is located in the temporal area of the scalp. This disorder causes jaw pain, headaches and blurred vision and, if not treated, can lead to blindness. A quick treatment is crucial to save the vision. Temporal arteritis is more common in women and affects patients older than 50. This disease is also called giant cell arteritis and is related with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).

Symptoms

Pain in one or both temples, headache, pain in the jaw during chewing, blurred vision, pain in the area of the shoulder and pelvis, slightly elevated temperature.

Overview

Anamnesis and physical examination will be done. If this disease is suspected, sedimentation of erythrocytes (SE) and CRP (C reactive protein) will be checked. Temporal artery biopsy is needed to confirm diagnosis.

Tests

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Additional analyses

SE (sedimentation of erythrocytes), CRP (C reactive protein), temporal artery biopsy.

Specialists

General Surgery and Neurology

Therapy

Treatment requires high doses of corticosteroids such as prednisone. Treatment should start as soon as possible in order to avoid complications such as loss of vision.