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Description

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a type of vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the large and medium-sized arteries, most commonly the temporal arteries. It is also known as temporal arteritis or cranial arteritis. Symptoms of GCA include headache, scalp tenderness, jaw pain, vision changes, and fever. Treatment typically involves high doses of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and prevent complications.

Synonyms

• carotid arteritis
• giant cell arteritis
• granulomatous arteritis
• Horton's disease
• temporal arteritis
• temporal giant cell arteritis

Basic Lab Tests (measurements)

• plasma
  •      fibrinogen
• serum
  •      leukocyte inhibitory factor
  •      soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1
  •      total alkaline phosphatase
  •      immunoglobulin G
  •      albumin
  •      interleukin-6
  •      alpha-1-acid glycoprotein
  •      protein
  •      rheumatoid factor
• vital signs
  •      temperature
• whole blood
  •      erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  •      bands
  •      hematocrit
  •      neutrophils
  •      granulocytes
  •      monocytes
  •      rouleaux
  •      leukocytes
  •      human leukocyte antigen DR4
  •      erythrocytes
  •      hemoglobin
  •      platelets

Detailed Disease and Condition Information (use the search buttons below to find details on these topics)
All of the following must be considered when interpreting clinical findings and are too extensive to be covered on this site: