Lingual arteritis in an elderly woman.

LINGUAL INFARCTION is an atypical manifestation of temporal arteritis, with fewer than 30 cases reported since 1966.1 Temporal arteritis causes inflammation of mediumto large-sized arteries, particularly branches of the carotid artery. It occurs predominantly in white women over 55 years old and is associated with polymyalgia rheumatica. The two conditions are considered to be part of the spectrum of the one vasculitic disorder.2 Diagnosis of temporal arteritis is a clinical challenge given that atypical presentations occur in up to 40% of patients. Furthermore, there are differing opinions about treatment. Its incidence in the over-50 age group is 22.2 per 100 000.3 Given the ageing population in Australia, the spectrum of presentation of temporal arteritis warrants renewed discussion and awareness. Presentation of temporal arteritis