Temporal artery biopsy harvesting length audit, patient satisfaction with post op management. A guide for clinical commissioning group planning

Abstract

Introduction Giant cell or temporal arteritis (GCA) is a vasculitis mainly affecting patients over 50yrs. Diagnosis is facilitated by a temporal artery biopsy (TAB). Due to the increased risk loss of visual loss, patients are started on high dose steroids to reduce this risk. However, a timely diagnosis with the aid from a TAB can help steer the patient into a more medically directed pathway of an appropriate reduction or prolonged use of steroids. We used British Society of Rheumatology (BSR) guidelines to audit our harvest length (recommend > 20 mm) and a telephone questionnaire to follow up patients.