Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Evaluation of the Efficacy of the H. pylori Protein HP-NAP as a Therapeutic Tool for Treatment of Bladder Cancer in an Orthotopic Murine Model
Published on: May 29, 2015
Horton's disease: past and present
1Section of Neurology, Dartmouth Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA. mo.levin@hitchcock.org
Insights
Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis or Horton's disease, can be challenging to diagnose and treat. Corticosteroid therapy remains the standard treatment, effectively managing symptoms and preventing complications.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Internal Medicine
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA), historically termed temporal arteritis or Horton's disease, has been recognized for centuries.
- Hutchinson (1890) and Horton (1932) provided key characterizations in modern medical literature.
- Despite its long history, GCA diagnosis remains elusive, and treatment presents challenges.
Observation:
- Patients typically present with head pain and constitutional symptoms, particularly the elderly.
- Prompt diagnosis is often achievable with careful clinical evaluation.
- Corticosteroids have been the mainstay of treatment since the mid-1950s.
Findings:
- Corticosteroid therapy is generally highly effective in alleviating GCA symptoms.
- Treatment successfully relieves pain and tenderness.
- Effective management prevents serious sequelae, including visual impairment.
Implications:
- Understanding the historical evolution of GCA provides context for current medical approaches.
- Knowledge of pathophysiology aids in refining diagnostic strategies.
- Modern treatment options focus on optimizing corticosteroid efficacy and minimizing side effects.
Abstract:
Although the disease known as temporal arteritis, giant cell arteritis, and Horton's disease has been known since at least the 10th century, Hutchinson (1890) and Horton (1932) characterized the condition in the more recent medical literature. The diagnosis of this potentially serious illness can be surprisingly elusive, and treatment is fraught with some frustrating pitfalls. For the most part, careful evaluation of patients (usually elderly) with the typical presentation of head pain and constitutional signs yields prompt diagnosis. Treatment with corticosteroids, the standard since the mid-1950s, is usually very successful in relieving pain and tenderness and in preventing visual and other sequelae. This article discusses the evolution of medical understanding of the disease, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and modern treatment options.
More Related Videos
10:52Efficient and Scalable Production of Full-length Human Huntingtin Variants in Mammalian Cells using a Transient Expression System
Published on: December 10, 2021
06:15Anterior High-Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography in the Diagnosis and Therapeutic Monitoring of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia
Published on: August 9, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Tissue Transplantation
The Biology of Tissue Transplantation
The biology of tissue transplantation hinges on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. These molecules...
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Graves' Disease I: Introduction
Huntington Disease l: Introduction