An 82-year-old patient complains of headaches and jaw claudication. Diagnosis?

• A. Temporal Lobe Tumor
• B. Migraine
• C. Tension-Type Headache
• D. Giant Cell (Temporal) Arteritis

Answer: (D)

Giant Cell (Temporal) Arteritis is suggested here. In an elderly patient, a new, persistent headache plus jaw claudication points to inflammation of the temporal and other carotid-artery branches. Jaw claudication occurs because the masticatory muscles aren’t getting enough blood during chewing, a clue that the arteries supplying the head are involved. This condition commonly presents in people over 50 and carries a real risk of vision loss from occlusion of the arteries feeding the optic nerve, so urgent treatment is crucial. Start high‑dose corticosteroids right away to prevent blindness, even before confirmation by temporal artery biopsy, which would typically show granulomatous inflammation with multinucleated giant cells. Lab tests like ESR or CRP are often elevated and support the diagnosis. Other headaches like migraines or tension-type headaches don’t cause jaw claudication or the same vascular involvement in this age group.