Clinical aspects of the temporal arteritis

• Main Authors: Palheta Neto, Francisco Xavier, Carneiro, Kássia Lima, Rodrigues Junior, Orlando Maciel, Rodrigues Junior, Adilson Góes, Jacob, Celidia Cristina de Souza, Palheta, Angélica Cristina Pezzin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda. 2008-12-01
• Series: International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology
• Subjects: Horton's disease; Temporal arteritis; Giant cells arteritis
• Online Access: http://www.arquivosdeorl.org.br/conteudo/acervo_eng.asp?Id=570
• ISSN: 1809-9777; 1809-4864

Introduction: The Horton's disease, or temporal arteritis, is the most common autoimmune systemic vasculitis in adults, especially the old-aged. Objective: To review the literature about the several aspects of the Horton's disease, and confirm the otorhinolaryngologic clinical manifestations. Method: The study searched online databases such as EMedicine, Encyclopedia of Medicine, FindArticles, LILACS, MEDLINE, Merck Manuals On-Line Medical Library and Scielo, and applied to the search the terms: Horton's disease, Temporal Arteritis and Giant Cells Arteritis, for articles published between 1996 and 2008. Literature's Review: The disease's clinical manifestations start after 50 years old, and it's more frequent near 72 years old. The intense headache, temporal tumefaction, mandibular claudication and visual loss are the main signals and symptoms. There may occur dysacusis, necrosis of the tongue and odynophagia. Considerations: Lots of aspects of the Horton's disease do not have their due elucidation and, even being a disease that affects many adults, it doesn't have deep investigations in great quantity. A better understanding of this disease will lead to the increment of cure possibilities and reduction of morbidity in the patients, especially in ophthalmologic and otorhinolaryngologic areas.