Other forms of arteritis

Other forms of arteritis

Arteritis occurs in association with many connective tissue disorders, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythema tosus and polyarteritis nodosa. Temporal arteritis is a disease in which localised infiltration with inflammatory and giant cells leads to arterial occlusion, ischaemic headache and tender, palpable, pulseless (throm bosed) arteries in the scalp. Irreversible b lindness occurs if the ophthalmic artery becomes occluded. The surgeon may be required to perform a temporal artery biopsy , but this should not delay immediate steroid therapy to arr est and reverse the process before the ophthalmic artery is involved. Takayasu’s disease is an arteritis that obstructs major arteries, particularly the large vessels coming o ff the aortic arch. It usually pursues a relentless course.