Can a blood test detect giant cell arteritis?

Blood tests can be carried out to check for signs of inflammation. These tests can be used to help diagnose GCA. They will also be repeated over time to check that the inflammation is controlled. Blood tests can also be used to look for other possible causes of your symptoms.

How do I know if I have temporal arteritis?

Biopsy. The best way to confirm a diagnosis of giant cell arteritis is by taking a small sample (biopsy) of the temporal artery. This artery is situated close to the skin just in front of your ears and continues up to your scalp.

Where does giant cell arteritis hurt?

Generally, signs and symptoms of giant cell arteritis include: Persistent, severe head pain, usually in your temple area. Scalp tenderness. Jaw pain when you chew or open your mouth wide.

What does a GCA headache feel like?

The headache is usually throbbing and continuous. Other descriptions of the pain include dull, boring, and burning. Focal tenderness on direct palpation is typically present. The patient may note scalp tenderness with hair combing, or with wearing a hat or eyeglasses.

Can giant cell arteritis be fatal?

Death due to giant cell arteritis (GCA) is rare, and is usually caused by coronary or vertebral arteritis in the acute phase of the disease. A case of fatal GCA is reported in a woman with a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate, who had been treated for temporal arteritis for eight months.

What mimics temporal arteritis?

Pain syndromes that may mimic temporal arteritis include tension-type headache, brain tumor, other forms of arteritis, trigeminal neuralgia involving the first division of the trigeminal nerve, demyelinating disease, migraine headache, cluster headache, migraine, and chronic paroxysmal hemicrania.

Does GCA cause dizziness?

Dizziness/vertigo as a main complaint in GCA is rare. Compromise of the arteries supplying the otic region can lead to tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo.

Will a brain MRI show temporal arteritis?

Strong concordance between high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of scalp arteries and temporal artery biopsy suggests that MRI may be a reliable first step in detecting giant cell arteritis and preventing unnecessary invasive biopsies.