Gaint cell arteritis is an ainflammatory disease of blood vessels mainly involving large and medium arteritis of the head in the form og vasculitis.It is also known as temporal arteritis since it frequently involves mainly the temporal artery. It can also involve large arteries like aorta when it is called as gaint cell aortitis.

The gaint cell arteritis of temporal artery is caled as temporal arteritis or cranial arteritis anf Hoton's disease.The some times may coexist with polymyalgia rheumatica which is charecterized by sudden onset of stiffness and pain in muscles of the body. Other related disorders are systemic lupus erythematous, rheumatoid arthritis and severe infections.

Symptoms

• Fever
• Headache
• Tenderness and sensitivity on the scalp.
• Jaw claudication.
• Tongue claudication.
• Decreased visual activity.
• Acute visual loss.
• Double vision.

Diagnosis

On examaintion the temporal artery apperas prominenet, tender to touch, decreased pulses through out the day.
Fundal examaintion of eyes reveals ischemia.

Labarotory tests

• Erytrocyte sedimentation rate is increased.
• C-reactive protein.
• Platelets are increased.
• Biopsy: Small part of the vessel is removed and examaiend microscopically.
• Ultrsound scan of the temporal artery gives halo sign.
• CTscan and MRI scan.

Treatment

Corticosteroids: Prednisolone is given in high dose and then tappered.