Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

Which of the following symptoms is NOT associated with temporal arteritis?

1. Pain in the jaw or tongue when chewing

2. Intermittent visual loss

3. Persistent headaches

4. Inflammation over the temporal arteries

The correct answer is: Persistent headaches

The symptom that is not associated with temporal arteritis is persistent headaches. While headaches are a common symptom in many patients with temporal arteritis, they are often described as a new type of headache, and the pain is usually localized in the temporal region. However, many patients may experience other presenting symptoms that are more characteristic of the condition. Temporal arteritis, or giant cell arteritis, primarily affects the temporal arteries and can lead to serious complications such as vision loss if not treated promptly. The other symptoms mentioned, such as pain in the jaw or tongue when chewing (known as jaw claudication), intermittent visual loss, and inflammation over the temporal arteries, are more directly linked to the inflammation of blood vessels in this condition. They represent the classic triad of symptoms that healthcare providers look for when diagnosing temporal arteritis. In contrast, while persistent headaches might occur, they are not a definitive or primary symptom used in the diagnosis of temporal arteritis compared to the others listed. Therefore, recognizing that the hallmark symptoms of this condition include jaw pain, visual disturbances, and localized inflammation helps in understanding why persistent headaches are not categorized in the same way.