Synonyms Arteriitis temporalis, arteriitis cranialis, horton arteriits, horton disease Definition Giant cell arteritis is one of the inflammatory diseases of the blood vessels. It thus belongs to the group of rheumatic diseases (rheumatism). Only the aorta and arteries are affected, but not veins or capillaries. (Hence the name arteriitis = inflammation of the arteries. ) … Giant Cell Arteritis
Origin of disease The inflammatory destruction of the vessels occurs in two different ways, for which the own immune system is responsible: On the one hand, defence cells (white blood cells, large leukocytes) form proteins (so-called antibodies), which attach themselves to the structures of the vessels and subsequently start a chain reaction in which various … Origin of disease | Giant Cell Arteritis
Diagnosis To ensure the diagnosis can be included in the ultrasound examination or a magnetic resonance sonography of the head (MRI of the head). Magnetic resonance imaging can also be used to visualize the inflammatory changes in the vessel wall. However, a definite diagnosis of giant cell lateritis can only be made by taking a … Diagnosis | Giant Cell Arteritis
