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Pulmonary manifestations of temporal arteritis
M R Kramer1, E Melzer, G Nesher
1Department of Internal Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
European Journal of Respiratory Diseases
|November 1, 1987
Summary
Pulmonary involvement in temporal arteritis is rare but possible. Early diagnosis and corticosteroid treatment are crucial for managing lung complications in this systemic vasculitis.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Pulmonology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Temporal arteritis, a systemic vasculitis, primarily affects cranial arteries.
- Pulmonary manifestations are exceptionally uncommon in the course of temporal arteritis.
Observation:
- Two patients with biopsy-proven temporal arteritis exhibited distinct lung involvement.
- One patient presented with multinodular pulmonary lesions.
- The other patient displayed a diffuse interstitial lung pattern.
Findings:
- Both patients demonstrated a positive response to corticosteroid therapy.
- Literature review identified only four prior cases linking lung involvement with temporal arteritis.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider primary pulmonary vasculitis in elderly patients presenting with temporal arteritis.
- This highlights the importance of thorough diagnostic evaluation for pulmonary symptoms in temporal arteritis patients.