THE THERAPEUTIC IMPACT OF TEMPORAL ARTERY BIOPSY

摘要: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of temporal artery biopsy in diagnosis giant-cell arteritis we followed up all 134 residents Olmsted County, Minnesota, who had biopsies between 1965 and 1980. Initial were positive for 46 cases negative 88. A history jaw pain or claudication findings a palpably abnormal significantly more common patients whose specimens showed arteritis. Over median follow-up period 70 months (range 1-192) only 8 88 biopsy-negative courses requiring long-term, high-dose corticosteroid therapy In this population-based study correctly predicted subsequent need 94% cases: these indicate that should be done before are committed to long-term therapy.