Indications:
The biopsy is performed in case of suspicion of temporal arteritis, either in a temporal arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatica.
Cons-indications:
anticoagulant therapy.
Principle:
The histological analysis of samples of arterial wall can diagnose temporal arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatica.
Technique:
The gesture is performed under local anesthesia without requiring hospitalization.
Local anesthesia is obtained using ointment or a patch.
The temporal artery sampling must be sufficient at best bilateral, for diagnosis.
results:
A normal biopsy does not eliminate the diagnosis; if doubt persists, then we can help an external carotid angiography to guide sampling.
A positive biopsy can diagnose temporal arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatica, and assess its evolutionary stage: initial (Stage I); granulomatous (stage II); Scar (stage III).
Cost:
K10 + BP100.
Practical advice:
In stage I of arteritis, a risk of false negative exists, and at stage III risk of a false positive because the differential histological diagnosis with a blood senile degeneration is difficult.
