A 58-year-old woman presents with a history of severe headache, visual field loss and a transient myalgia involving the back and shoulders. The following is/are true:

a. A tender, nodular temporal artery would indicate a picture compatible with temporal arteritis

b. The presentation is most compatible with giant cell arteritis 

The presentation is typical for a patient with temporal arteritis, which is a form of systemic giant cell arteritis. It is characterized by chronic inflammation of the aorta and its major branches. Corticosteroid therapy is indicated because of its success in relieving symptoms whether or not an operation is planned. Angiographic findings in this condition show smooth rather than irregular surface stenoses.