Diagnostic Study of Temporal Arteritis

Diagnostic Tools in Temporal Arteritis - Towards the Development of a Diagnostic Algorithm

Despite a large and growing body of knowledge concerning the diagnosis of temporal arteritis, this potentially crippling disease still requires pathological diagnosis in practically every case. It seems likely that a correctly estimated clinical probability could help in evaluating imaging results in a way that might safely obviate temporal biopsy in a large segment of suspect cases.

With this aim in view, we intend to identify useful clinical items and integrate them in an appropriate diagnostic pathway.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients suspected of temporal arteritis and referred by their physicians to biopsy of a temporal artery.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy; age > 80 or < 18; unable to answer study questions