Tongue necrosis in temporal arteritis

Headache. 2007 Sep;47(8):1213-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2007.00890.x.

Abstract

Temporal arteritis is a form of systemic vasculitis that involves branches of the carotid artery. Clinical features are headache, visual loss, ophthalmoplegia, jaw claudication, temporal headache, with tenderness and thickening on the affected temporal artery. We present 3 cases of tongue necrosis due to this granulomatous arteritis. Ischemic necrosis of the tongue is unusual and appears to be an association between its occurrence and high dose steroid tapering.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / pathology*
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Necrosis / chemically induced
  • Steroids / adverse effects
  • Tongue / drug effects
  • Tongue / pathology*

Substances

  • Steroids