What is the primary treatment option for temporal arteritis?

The primary treatment for temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, is high-dose steroids. This condition is an acute inflammatory disease of the large vessels, especially the temporal arteries, and it can lead to serious complications, including vision loss, if not treated promptly. High-dose corticosteroids are effective in reducing the inflammation and preventing the potential sequelae associated with the disease.

Steroids work quickly to alleviate symptoms such as headache, scalp tenderness, and vision disturbances. The initial high doses are typically tapered down after the symptoms are controlled and laboratory markers of inflammation improve, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), which are often elevated in these patients.

The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be helpful in providing symptom relief in some cases but is not sufficient as a standalone treatment due to their weaker anti-inflammatory action compared to steroids. Surgical intervention is rarely indicated unless there are complications such as aneurysms or significant vascular obstruction, and antibiotic therapy is not applicable as temporal arteritis is not an infectious process.