Temporal artery biopsies - a retrospective review over a two-year period in an Australian major teaching hospital

To determine the predictive value of temporal artery biopsy in patients clinically suspected of having temporal arteritis. Notes of patients who underwent a temporal artery biopsy for suspected temporal arteritis in the period 2004-2006 at the Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Australia, were studied. The clinical profile and histopathological slides were reviewed. Twenty-four patients were identified. Male to female ratio was 2: 1 with a mean age of 72 years. Out of these, 17 patients [70%] showed typical histological findings confirming temporal arteritis. Temporal arteritis is a rheumatological emergency. The above results indicate that the biopsy yield following rheumatologist suspicion is high with minimal post-operative complications. The histopathological diagnosis is useful in considering continuing or stopping therapy

Systemic and mucocutaneous manifestations of Behcet's disease: an analysis of 107 cases

To study the types and frequency of mucocutaneous and systemic manifestations of Behcet's disease among Jordanian patients. A retrospective analysis of 107 patients diagnosed clinically to have Behcet's disease between January 2004 and December 2007 at King Hussein Medical Center was conducted. All Patients fulfilled the International Study Group Criteria for the diagnosis of Behcet's disease. Simple statistical analysis was used. Eighty-two patients were males and 25 were females, the age range was between 16 and 65 year. 52 [48%] patients' age ranged between 20-29 year, 104 [97%] patients had oral ulceration. 93 [87%] patients had genital ulcers, 99 [92%] patients had skin manifestation were acneiform eruption was the most common finding of skin manifestation, eye involvement was recorded in 34 [32%] patients [17 patients had bilateral uveitis. live had unilateral uveitis, 13 had retinal vasculitis and live were blind, two of whom had unilateral blindness]. Arthritis was seen in 64 patients, vascular lesions in 39 patients, and neurological manifestations were seen in 22 patients. Pathergy test was positive in 36 patients. HLA-B51 was positive in 48 patients and negative in 26 patients, while undetermined in 33 patients. Mucocutaneous manifestations of the disease are common in Jordanian patients. They are similar to other countries in the region in many aspects of diverse manifestations, age of onset and chronicity. Male predominance was noted in this series of cases. Superficial thrombophlebitis was common and morbidity was higher. Intracranial hypertension was more prevalent in patients with neurological manifestations