Giant cell arteritis
Giant Cell Arteritis
Giant cell arteritis (pronounced: jai-ant sell ar-ter-i-tis), also known as temporal arteritis or cranial arteritis, is a type of vasculitis that often affects the large and medium arteries of the head. Its etymology is derived from the Greek words "gigas" meaning giant, "kytos" meaning cell, and "arteritis" meaning inflammation of an artery.
Definition
Giant cell arteritis is an inflammatory disease of blood vessels most commonly involving large and medium arteries of the head, predominantly the branches of the external carotid artery. The condition is named for the characteristic pathological finding of large multinucleated giant cells within the arterial wall.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of giant cell arteritis include headache, scalp tenderness, jaw pain, vision problems, and fatigue. In some cases, the disease can lead to blindness or stroke.
Causes
The exact cause of giant cell arteritis is unknown. However, it is thought to involve an abnormal immune response, which causes inflammation in the walls of arteries. Risk factors include age, sex, and ethnicity, with the condition being more common in women, people over the age of 50, and those of Northern European descent.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of giant cell arteritis is typically based on symptoms, physical examination, and blood tests. A definitive diagnosis can be made with a biopsy of an affected artery, usually the temporal artery.
Treatment
Treatment for giant cell arteritis typically involves high doses of a corticosteroid drug such as prednisone. This medication can help to quickly alleviate symptoms and prevent vision loss. Long-term treatment may be needed to prevent recurrence of the disease.
Related Terms
- Vasculitis
- Temporal arteritis
- Cranial arteritis
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Rheumatology
- Inflammation
- Immune response
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Giant cell arteritis
- Wikipedia's article - Giant cell arteritis
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