Allen D T, Voytovich M C, Allen J C
Department of Dentistry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. 55905, USA.
J Am Dent Assoc. 2000 Dec;131(12):1738-41. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2000.0120.
This case report illustrates the need to consider temporal arteritis in the differential diagnosis of jaw or tooth pain. This disease affects the cranial arteries, more frequently in women and usually in those older than age 60 years, causing jaw pain, visual symptoms, headache, scalp pain and sometimes blindness.
A 71-year-old man had jaw pain that increased with chewing and speaking, scalp tenderness and dimming vision. A temporal artery biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of temporal arteritis. Treatment with decreasing amounts of oral steroids over 23 months was successful in relieving his signs and symptoms and in saving his vision.
Patients with this disease may seek care from their dentist first. Jaw or tooth pain is the most reliable clinical symptom in the diagnosis of temporal arteritis. Diagnosis and timely referral for treatment with oral steroids can prevent blindness.
本病例报告说明了在颌部或牙齿疼痛的鉴别诊断中需要考虑颞动脉炎。这种疾病会影响颅动脉，在女性中更为常见，通常发生在60岁以上的人群中，会导致颌部疼痛、视觉症状、头痛、头皮疼痛，有时还会导致失明。
一名71岁男性出现咀嚼和说话时加重的颌部疼痛、头皮压痛和视力模糊。颞动脉活检确诊为颞动脉炎。在23个月内逐渐减少口服类固醇药物的治疗成功缓解了他的体征和症状，并挽救了他的视力。
患有这种疾病的患者可能首先会去看牙医。颌部或牙齿疼痛是颞动脉炎诊断中最可靠的临床症状。诊断并及时转诊接受口服类固醇药物治疗可以预防失明。
