Temporal arteritis Giant Cell Arteritis

• Facts:
  Subacute granulomatous inflammation of the large vessels (aorta, external carotid, and vertebral arteries)
• History / PE:
  Scalp pain
  Jaw claudication
  Temporal tenderness
  Fever, weight loss
  Permanent monocular blindness
  Myalgias/arthralgias
• Diagnosis:
  ESR > 50
  Temporal artery biopsy
  Ophthalmologic evaluation
  
• Treatment:
  High dose prednisone
• Complications:
  Blindness from central artery occlusion
  Aortic aneurysm (follow with serial CXRs)
• Associated With:
  Polymyalgia rheumatica