Overview
Juvenile temporal arteritis is a rare condition where the walls of the temporal arteries — the blood vessels that run along the sides of your head near your temples — become inflamed. Unlike the more common form of temporal arteritis seen in older adults (called giant cell arteritis), this condition affects children, teenagers, and young adults, typically under the age of 40. It is sometimes called juvenile temporal arteritis or non-giant-cell temporal arteritis of the young. The inflammation causes the artery wall to thicken, which can be felt as a firm, painless or mildly tender lump or nodule near the temple. The condition does not usually cause the severe headaches, vision problems, or jaw pain that are common in the adult form. In most reported cases, the disease appears to be limited to the skin and the outer layer of the temporal artery, without spreading to other blood vessels or organs. Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the affected section of the artery, which is often both diagnostic and curative. Steroids and anti-inflammatory medications may also be used. The overall outlook for most patients is good, especially when the condition is caught and treated early.
Key symptoms:
A firm, painless or mildly tender lump near the templeSwelling or thickening of the temporal artery on one or both sides of the headVisible or palpable nodule under the skin near the templeMild local tenderness when touching the temple areaRedness or warmth over the affected area in some casesNo fever or systemic illness in most casesNo vision changes (unlike adult temporal arteritis)
Clinical phenotype terms (8)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Juvenile
Begins in the teen years
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Juvenile temporal arteritis.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Juvenile temporal arteritis.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Juvenile temporal arteritis.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is surgery the best option for my child, and what does the recovery look like?,Do we need to do any additional tests to rule out other types of vasculitis?,What are the chances this condition will come back after treatment?,Should my child see a rheumatologist for long-term follow-up?,Are there any signs or symptoms I should watch for that would mean we need to go to the emergency room?,Does my child need any blood tests or imaging scans after treatment?,Is there any known cause or risk factor that could affect other family members?
Common questions about Juvenile temporal arteritis
What is Juvenile temporal arteritis?
Juvenile temporal arteritis is a rare condition where the walls of the temporal arteries — the blood vessels that run along the sides of your head near your temples — become inflamed. Unlike the more common form of temporal arteritis seen in older adults (called giant cell arteritis), this condition affects children, teenagers, and young adults, typically under the age of 40. It is sometimes called juvenile temporal arteritis or non-giant-cell temporal arteritis of the young. The inflammation causes the artery wall to thicken, which can be felt as a firm, painless or mildly tender lump or nod
How is Juvenile temporal arteritis inherited?
Juvenile temporal arteritis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Juvenile temporal arteritis typically begin?
Typical onset of Juvenile temporal arteritis is juvenile. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.