What is a common characteristic observed in temporal arteritis?

Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, is an inflammation of the large and medium-sized arteries, particularly affecting the temporal arteries. A key characteristic of this condition is intimal thickening, which occurs due to the inflammatory process that leads to the proliferation of cells in the arterial wall.

As the intima (the innermost layer of the artery) thickens, it can cause a reduction in the lumen size, potentially leading to ischemic symptoms. This thickening is primarily attributed to the infiltration of inflammatory cells, which can lead to complications such as headaches, jaw claudication, and even vision loss if the ocular arteries are involved.

The other options relate to conditions that are not specifically or primarily associated with temporal arteritis. For example, atrophy of peripheral nerves is not a characteristic of this condition. Decreased blood flow to the limbs can be seen in various vascular diseases, but it is not directly linked to temporal arteritis, which primarily affects the head and neck. Similarly, soft tissue swelling in the extremities is more associated with other inflammatory or vascular conditions rather than temporal arteritis. Therefore, intimal thickening is the most relevant and direct indicator of this condition.