Abstract
The objective of this study was to describe the perioperative findings during temporal
artery biopsy (TAB) and the characteristics associated with a diagnosis of giant cell
arteritis (GCA). Perioperative findings were prospectively described by a single operator
blinded to the clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients on 40 consecutive
TABs, of which 21 were positive (53%) for GCA. Patients with a TAB positive for GCA
(TAB+) more frequently had abnormalities on palpation of the temporal artery than
negative TAB (TAB-) patients (mainly pulse abolition (p=0.007), indurated artery (p=0.002),
and painful artery (p=0.021)). The appearance of a big artery (p<0.001), a thickened
artery (p<0.001), and an indurated artery at incision (p<0.001) was significantly
associated with a positive TAB. A multivariate model identified a big artery, no local
bleeding, and pain during artery traction as being associated with TAB positivity
(sensitivity 71.4% and specificity 89.5%). The appearance of the temporal artery during
TAB is important in predicting the positivity of the biopsy. Whether this should influence
the optimal length of the TAB warrants a prospective study.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: November 26, 2021
Accepted:
November 19,
2021
Received:
October 6,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
