Giant Cell and Takayasu Arteritiss

Abstract

Many diseases cause inflammatory large vessel vasculitis. However, giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TA) are the most common large vessel vasculitides. Vascular surgeons should be aware of the workup and management of these two large vessel vasculitides as they are often involved in the care of these patients. Medical management is the primary therapy for both GCA and TA. However, surgical or endovascular therapy may be necessary in certain circumstances. This review explores all of the above aspects of both GCA and TA. Tables highlight inflammatory large vessel vasculitides, major differences between GCA and TA, criteria for the classification of GCA and TA, the distribution of arterial lesions in GCA and TA, and clinical presentation in TA patients by symptom. Figures show occlusive or aneurysmal disease of the aorta and its branches; pallid and sectoral edema; external carotid artery, superficial temporal artery, and facial nerve anatomy; frequency of arterial involvement in GCA and TA; the placement of incision for superficial temporal artery biopsy; right subclavian and axillary arteries in TA; and histology of the superficial temporal artery and a superficial temporal artery in GCA. This review contains 12 figures, 6 tables, and 89 references.