Carotid system arteritis: an overlooked and misdiagnosed syndrome

Because of the broadened scope of dental practice, a thorough knowledge and understanding of head and neck pain is necessary to diagnose adequately and to treat the patient properly. The complexities of disease related to head and neck pain may mislead and confuse the diagnostician. Carotid system arteritis may be easily overlooked in everyday practice. Diseases with similar symptoms must be considered before rendering treatment. Although the mortality rate of arteritis is extremely low, the condition merits immediate recognition and treatment for relief of pain. The need to include head and neck arteritis in the differential diagnosis of orofacial-neck pain has been discussed and a treatment regimen with use of corticosteroids has been suggested.