Temporal Arteritis

Guest: Andy Abril, M.D. (@andyabrilMD)

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Temporal arteritis is a vasculitis involving medium-sized vessels and typically occurs in those over the age of 50. If diagnosed and treated early, there is an excellent likelihood of recovery. However, temporal arteritis often mimics other health problems and this commonly results in a delay in the diagnosis. If untreated, serious complications can occur, including permanent blindness or stroke. The topic for this podcast is temporal arteritis and our guest is Andy Abril, M.D., Chair of the Division of Rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. We’ll discuss the risk factors, presenting symptoms and complications of temporal arteritis, as well as the recommendations for establishing a diagnosis and initiating appropriate treatment.

Specific topics discussed:

• Risk factors for temporal arteritis
• Presenting symptoms
• Complications of untreated temporal arteritis
• Extra-cranial artery involvement of patients with temporal arteritis
• Relationship of temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica
• Laboratory abnormalities in temporal arteritis
• Importance of an early temporal artery biopsy in establishing a diagnosis
• Treatment recommendations

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