[Specific respiratory manifestations of Horton disease]

Several respiratory manifestations have been described in patients with temporal arteritis. These complications may develop at the onset of the disease or later. Cough is the most frequent of them. Other complications include pleural effusions, interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary vasculitis. Hyperreactive airways, hoarseness, diaphragm paralysis have been noted. Generally, corticosteroids cause a prompt improvement. Physicians should be aware of respiratory symptoms in patients with temporal arteritis in order to avoid delays in diagnosis and therapy.