Horton's disease, also termed giant cell arteritis, mainly affects large-caliber vessels within the territories of the external carotid branches. Of note is that this condition can also involve the eye, central nervous system, digestive tract, respiratory system, as well as the arterial system of the lower limbs, and the heart. The diagnosis is confirmed based on the biopsy of the temporal artery, which is not positive in all cases. PET imaging takes an increasingly relevant place in the diagnostic tree, revealing metabolic hyperfixation of large and medium vessels. Treatment is mainly based on systemic glucocorticoids. Of note is the progressively increasing place of biotherapies in the condition’s management, primarily comprising specific antagonists of the IL-6 receptor.
What is already known about the topic?
The increasing role of PET imaging in the diagnosis of this vasculitis is now well established, as is the place of biotherapies in the treatment of both corticoresistant and corticodependent forms.
What does this article bring up for us?
This article provides a review of the clinical semiology, diagnostic means, and conventional as well as newer therapeutic approaches in case of giant cellular arteritis.
Key Words
Cough, weight loss, inflammatory syndrom, Pet-scan, interleukin 6 (IL-6), giant-cell arteritis, glucocorticoids