C-GCA often referred to as temporal arteritis; terminology not longer recommended, as sparing of temporal artery is not uncommon and because disease may involve large vessels
Horton disease
Definitions
Granulomatous autoimmune vasculitis affecting larger arteries and aorta
C-GCA: Often involves temporal artery and other head/neck vessels; but may also involve aorta and major branches
LV-GCA: Often involves thoracic aorta and major branches
Frequently associated with PMR
Aching and morning stiffness in shoulders, hip girdle, and neck
IMAGING
General Features
CT Findings
MR Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Angiographic Findings
Nuclear Medicine Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Staging, Grading, & Classification
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
Microscopic Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Selected References
Braun J et al: The role of 18F-FDG positron emission tomography for the diagnosis of vasculitides. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 36 Suppl 114(5):108-14, 2018
Dejaco C et al: The spectrum of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: revisiting the concept of the disease. Rheumatology (Oxford). 56(4):506-15, 2017
Gomułka K et al: Horton's disease: still an important medical problem in elderly patients: a review and case report. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 34(5):510-3, 2017
Buttgereit F et al: Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis: a systematic review. JAMA. 315(22):2442-58, 2016
Aschwanden M et al: The ultrasound compression sign to diagnose temporal giant cell arteritis shows an excellent interobserver agreement. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 33(2 Suppl 89):S-113-5, 2015
Khan A et al: Imaging in giant cell arteritis. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 17(8):527, 2015
Hartlage GR et al: Multimodality imaging of aortitis. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 7(6):605-19, 2014
Bley TA et al: Diagnostic value of high-resolution MR imaging in giant cell arteritis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 28(9):1722-7, 2007
Related Anatomy
Loading...
Related Differential Diagnoses
Loading...
References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
Top Differential Diagnoses
Clinical Issues
TERMINOLOGY
Abbreviations
Giant cell arteritis (GCA)
Cranial GCA (C-GCA)
Large-vessel GCA (LV-GCA) (also extracranial GCA)
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)
Synonyms
Temporal arteritis
C-GCA often referred to as temporal arteritis; terminology not longer recommended, as sparing of temporal artery is not uncommon and because disease may involve large vessels
Horton disease
Definitions
Granulomatous autoimmune vasculitis affecting larger arteries and aorta
C-GCA: Often involves temporal artery and other head/neck vessels; but may also involve aorta and major branches
LV-GCA: Often involves thoracic aorta and major branches
Frequently associated with PMR
Aching and morning stiffness in shoulders, hip girdle, and neck
IMAGING
General Features
CT Findings
MR Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Angiographic Findings
Nuclear Medicine Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Staging, Grading, & Classification
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
Microscopic Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Selected References
Braun J et al: The role of 18F-FDG positron emission tomography for the diagnosis of vasculitides. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 36 Suppl 114(5):108-14, 2018
Dejaco C et al: The spectrum of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: revisiting the concept of the disease. Rheumatology (Oxford). 56(4):506-15, 2017
Gomułka K et al: Horton's disease: still an important medical problem in elderly patients: a review and case report. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 34(5):510-3, 2017
Buttgereit F et al: Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis: a systematic review. JAMA. 315(22):2442-58, 2016
Aschwanden M et al: The ultrasound compression sign to diagnose temporal giant cell arteritis shows an excellent interobserver agreement. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 33(2 Suppl 89):S-113-5, 2015
Khan A et al: Imaging in giant cell arteritis. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 17(8):527, 2015
Hartlage GR et al: Multimodality imaging of aortitis. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 7(6):605-19, 2014