![]() ![]() Quick action is needed to preserve the person’s remaining sight. If giant cell arteritis is suspected, doctors will start immediate drug treatment before the results of the biopsy come back or even before the biopsy can be arranged. Treatment aims to stop any more damage to the affected tissues. Both temporal arteries may need to be biopsied. Biopsy confirms about 94 per cent of cases so it is an important test to confirm the diagnosis. An artery affected by giant cell arteritis is inflamed, narrowed and shows a particular pattern of immune cells. Biopsy of the artery – a small piece of artery is removed and examined microscopically in a laboratory.Other tests – these may be used to rule out other diseases that may present with similar symptoms – for example, diabetes, atherosclerosis, thyroid dysfunction, trigeminal neuralgia, dermatomyositis, multiple myeloma or rheumatoid arthritis.A raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) test may be an indicator. Blood test – some blood tests flag the possible presence of giant cell arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatica.This condition is known as anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy and is the worst complication of giant cell arteritis. Eye examination – if the eye is affected, the optic disc looks pale and puffy.Physical examination – for example, the doctor may look for alopecia, scalp lesions, tenderness and a reduced pulse in the temporal arteries.The doctor will strongly suspect giant cell arteritis if the person is aged 65 years or more. Medical history – to check for the presence of risk factors.Giant cell arteritis is diagnosed using a number of tests including: Since giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica often occur at the same time, some researchers suspect they may be caused by the same underlying disease. It is thought that these symptoms are triggered by some kind of inflammatory response in the body. Stiffness in the neck, shoulders and hips.Typical symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica include: This is a collection of symptoms rather than a specific disease. Region – prevalence is higher in northern European nations.Ībout half of all people with giant cell arteritis are diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica.Race – giant cell arteritis is more common among Caucasians. ![]() The average age at diagnosis is 70 years. Age – people over the age of 50 years are more susceptible.Gender – twice as many women as men are affected.Some researchers believe that it may be a type of autoimmune disorder. The causes of giant cell arteritis are unknown. 'Giant cells' are large cells with many nuclei. If you feel you have new symptoms or have just developed this condition, visit your GP or an emergency department as soon as possible. Sudden and painless blindness in the other eye – this may occur one to 10 days later.Sudden and painless blindness in one eye.Other vision problems such as flashing lights, colour changes and blurring.Death of affected areas of scalp (necrosis) – in severe cases of alopecia.Red, inflamed and painful patches on the scalp, including localised hair loss (alopecia).Tender temples – for example, hair brushing may hurt.Jaw or tongue pain when chewing or talking. ![]()
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