Today's Edition
DUBAI (ALETIHAD)
Mubadala Health Dubai, part of the M42 group, provides specialised treatment for headaches, enabling sufferers to regain control of their lives.
Utilising the latest research, innovative treatments and a holistic approach, Mubadala Health Dubai’s newly launched Headache Clinic aims to improve the quality of life for patients with headaches and chronic migraines. Recently, it helped treat a 75-year-old patient who risked possible blindness due to a misdiagnosed condition.
The patient had been experiencing uncontrollable headaches for the past few months and had previously been misdiagnosed with migraines. Due to the persistence of these headaches, the patient was referred to Mubadala Health Dubai, where a correct diagnosis of temporal arteritis was made by Dr. Mohammad Aghil Ghatali, Consultant Neurologist.
Temporal arteritis is an inflammation of the medium-sized vessels of the temporal artery. This condition commonly causes severe, localised headaches typically felt in the temples. Other symptoms may include scalp tenderness, jaw pain while chewing and visual disturbances. Notably, temporal arteritis can lead to visual loss, which poses a significant risk of blindness if left untreated.
Inflammation of the temporal arteries can affect the arteries that supply blood to the eyes, leading to reduced blood flow and potentially causing sudden vision loss. This condition, known as anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, can result in permanent blindness if not treated quickly. It’s crucial to start treatment with corticosteroids as soon as possible to reduce inflammation and prevent serious complications like blindness.
Dr. Ghatali said: “I saw the patient in the clinic’s corridor rocking and pacing due to his pain. Immediate treatment with high-dose prednisone not only relieved the patient’s headache but also prevented potential blindness. This success story highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.”
The patient commented: “It was due to Dr. Ghatali’s extensive experience that my condition was identified and treated. I am finally free of my debilitating symptoms, and I was shocked to learn that I could have gone blind if my condition hadn’t been caught in time.”
Giant cell arteritis is a type of vasculitis, which means inflammation of the blood vessels. It is an autoimmune disease, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. In this case, the immune system attacks the blood vessels in the head. Both rheumatologists, who specialise in autoimmune diseases, and neurologists, who focus on the nervous system, work together to manage conditions like giant cell arteritis and other similar diseases.
As part of the clinic’s multidisciplinary approach, the patient was then referred to Dr. Nathalie Chalhoub, Consultant Rheumatologist at Mubadala Health Dubai. Giant cell arteritis, also known as temporal arteritis, is a type of vasculitis, characterised by inflammation of the blood vessels. It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, specifically targeting the blood vessels in the head.
