Giant cell arteritis: a cause of temporomandibular joint claudication

Abstract

The purpose of this case report was to benefit the clinical recognition and conservative management of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in temporal arteries associated with jaw claudication. Giant cell arteritis is a systemic inflammatory vas-culitis that affects medium-to-large-sized arteries. Primarily affecting arteries in heads, especially in temples, chronic GCA can result in secondary headaches and even polymyalgia rheumatica. This is a case report of a 68-year-old female with a 10-year history of GCA. The patient presented jaw claudication, headache, and joint stiffness over 6 months. The left palpable superficial temporal artery was thickened and tendered. A full-spine radiograph revealed uneven shoulders, imbalanced jaws, and moderate lumbar scoliosis. After nine months with conservative manage-ment, the patient was completely recovered from the symptoms with significantly improved radiographic parameters. Patients with GCA can present with jaw claudication. Physiotherapy and chiropractic collaborations are options for patients with GCA who suffer from the chronic adverse effect of medicines. Clinicians should be aware of the common clinical findings associated with GCA when rehabilitation treatment is planned.