Korean J Anesthesiol.  2003 Jan;44(1):138-141. 10.4097/kjae.2003.44.1.138.

A Case Report of Temporal Arteritis

• Park SY
• Han KR
• Cho WD
• Lee SH
• Kim C

• KMID: 1860717
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2003.44.1.138

Abstract

Temporal arteritis, also referred to as giant cell arteritis, is defined as a granulomatous vasculitis in people age 50 years or older. We are going to report a case of temporal arteritis. A 67-year-old woman had a headache in the right posterior auricular area. The pain character was pulsatile, paroxysmal and lancinating. On examination her body temperature was 36.6degrees C and allodynia existed in the C2 dermatome. No other positive signs were found. The laboratory results were as follows: white blood cells 7,000/mm3, hemoglobin 9.6 g/dl, erythrocyte sedimentation rate 120 mm/hr, C-reactive protein 11.0 mg/dl and SGPT 33 IU/L. Radiographs of a brain CT, cervical MRI and cervical MRA appeared normal. A cervical epidural block and C2 ganglion block were done but effects were transcent. Temporal arteritis was suspected due to an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, anemia and old age. Prednisolone 60 mg/day was given and the patient recovered within 10 days. As a result, the diagnosis was made by a combination of clinical features, laboratory findings and response to steroids. The patient was sucessfully treated with a steroid.

Keyword

Headache; diagnosis; temporal arteritis; treatment

MeSH Terms

Aged
Alanine Transaminase
Anemia
Blood Sedimentation
Body Temperature
Brain
C-Reactive Protein
Diagnosis
Female
Ganglion Cysts
Giant Cell Arteritis*
Headache
Humans
Hyperalgesia
Leukocytes
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Prednisolone
Steroids
Vasculitis
Alanine Transaminase
C-Reactive Protein
Prednisolone
Steroids