A 78 years old male presents with headache visual disturbance and tenderness over his right temporal region. Abiopsy taken from his right temporal artery is most likely to show –
**Core Concept**
Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, is a condition characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels, particularly the temporal artery. This condition is a form of vasculitis that predominantly affects older adults, often presenting with symptoms such as headache, visual disturbances, and tenderness over the temporal region.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The biopsy from the affected temporal artery is expected to show granulomatous inflammation, which is a hallmark of temporal arteritis. This inflammation is driven by the activation of immune cells, including macrophages and T lymphocytes, which infiltrate the arterial wall and lead to the formation of giant cells. The presence of these giant cells is a diagnostic clue for temporal arteritis. The inflammation can cause damage to the arterial wall, leading to stenosis or occlusion of the artery, which can result in visual disturbances and other symptoms.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not accurately describe the histopathological findings in temporal arteritis. The biopsy from the affected temporal artery would not show features of atherosclerosis, which is a different condition characterized by the buildup of plaque in the arterial walls.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because it does not accurately describe the histopathological findings in temporal arteritis. The biopsy from the affected temporal artery would not show features of polyarteritis nodosa, which is a different condition characterized by inflammation of multiple medium-sized arteries.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Temporal arteritis is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment to prevent serious complications, such as visual loss and stroke. The diagnosis is often made by biopsy of the affected temporal artery, but imaging studies, such as MRI or CT angiography, can also be used to support the diagnosis.
**Correct Answer:** C.