Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis as a Potential Cause of Headache Associated with Temporal Arteritis

Intern Med. 2016;55(5):523-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.5340. Epub 2016 Mar 1.

Abstract

We herein describe a rare case of temporal arteritis associated with hypertrophic pachymeningitis. An 81-year-old man presented with a right temporal headache that had persisted for one month. A right superficial temporal artery biopsy revealed intimal hypertrophy with increased elastic fibers, consistent with temporal arteritis. Brain MRI using gadolinium enhancement showed thickened dura mater on the right frontal and temporal lobes, which led to the diagnosis of hypertrophic pachymeningitis. Intravenous methylprednisolone and oral prednisolone improved the patient's symptoms. According to our findings, hypertrophic pachymeningitis may be a potential cause of an ipsilateral temporal headache associated with temporal arteritis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Dura Mater / pathology*
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / complications*
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / diagnosis
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / drug therapy
  • Headache / etiology
  • Headache / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy / complications
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Meningitis / complications*
  • Meningitis / diagnosis
  • Meningitis / drug therapy
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Prednisolone
  • Methylprednisolone