Abstract
Background and AimsTemporal artery biopsy is the gold standard investigation for giant cell arteritis. Guidelines recommend that specimens should measure no less than 1 cm and ideally more than 2 cm in length, as this influences the likelihood of biopsy positivity. This audit investigates the extent to which temporal artery biopsies acquired in our hospital meet these guidelines.MethodsHistopathology reports for all temporal artery biopsies performed at University Hospital Ayr between January 2011 and June 2013 were examined.ResultsFifty-six temporal artery biopsy specimens showed a range in length from 0.5 cm to 3.1 cm, with a mean of 1.4 cm. Thirty-seven biopsies measured ≥1 cm (66%) and 13 were ≥2 cm (23%). Therefore, 19 samples (34%) did not meet the recommended standard. Just seven biopsies showed features of giant cell arteritis, with six of these measuring ≥1 cm in length (86%).ConclusionThe guidelines for temporal artery specimens are not being met at our centre. Furthermore, biopsies measuring ≥1...
Published Version
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