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

ABSTRACT

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