Also called temporal arteritis. An inflammatory disease of arterial blood vessels. Very rarely seen in patients younger than 50 years old. Uncommon but potentially sight and life-threatening.
Clinical Features
Generalised symptoms of malaise, loss of appetite, weight loss and fever
Stiffness or tenderness of the limbs particularly around the hips and shoulders
(polymyalgia rheumatica)
Headache
Pain in the chewing muscles on eating
Tenderness over the scalp especially around the temples
Potential for sudden loss of vision due to anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy
Management
See ophthalmologist urgently if any visual symptoms; otherwise see GP/rheumatologist soon
