Giant cell arteritis

This review describes the characteristics of giant cell arteritis. Temporal arteritis and Takayasu's arteritis are systemic vasculitides of large arteries with almost identical histological features. Both diseases are characterized by a general malaise, accompanied by more specific symptoms of organ malperfusion. In temporal arteritis, these are largely confined to the cervical and cranial region, in Takayasu's disease they are more often found in the extremities. In both diseases, the ESR is most often massively elevated. The diagnosis of temporal arteritis should be confirmed by a biopsy from a branch of the temporal artery. The diagnosis of Takayasu's arteriitis depends largely on aortography. Polymyalgia rheumatica is a disease associated with temporal arteriitis. For both entities, corticosteroids are the therapeutic mainstay. One of the major aims of this article is, however, to stress the similarity of the two forms of giant cell arteritis. in terms of pathogenesis, clinical features, therapeutic measures and prognosis it is neither necessary nor particularly useful to differentiate between temporal arteritis und Takayasu's disease. it is sufficient, to speak of giant cell arteritis and indicate the affected vessels.