title: Temporal artery biopsy: are we doing it right?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Temporal artery biopsy (TAB) is the gold standard for diagnosing temporal arteritis; however, sensitivity is relatively poor (30-40 per cent). The British Society of Rheumatology (BSR) guidelines state two major factors that can improve sensitivity: TAB specimen size > 10mm; and pre-biopsy steroid treatment < 7 days. Owing to the low sensitivity, TA treatment is often commenced/continued despite negative histology. The purpose of this paper is to establish the extent to which TAB results influence clinical management and determine specimen adequacy regarding BSR guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 55 patients underwent TAB between 2009-2011. Patients' medical notes were analysed, specifically looking at biopsy specimen size, histology results and steroid therapy duration, pre- and post-biopsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 55 TABs, three (6 per cent) were positive, 47 (85 per cent) were negative and five (9 per cent) were "inadequate". Of those patients with negative results, 18 (46 per cent) received > six months steroid treatment. From 50 "adequate" specimens, 31 (62 per cent) were < 10mm and 11 (28 per cent) received > seven days steroid treatment pre-biopsy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite negative results, many patients went on to receive long-term steroids. Action must be taken to reduce false and true negative biopsies. False negatives may-be reduced by improving adherence to BSR guidance (increased specimen size and early biopsy after commencing steroids). To reduce total true-negative biopsies, the authors suggest implementing the American College of Rheumatology scoring system, designed to objectify the decision to perform TAB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article addresses a common problem seen in most UK hospitals. There is little literature discussing a plausible solution to reducing negative biopsies.
authors.affiliation: General Surgery Department, University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, UK. apieri@doctors.net.uk
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pieri
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Milligan
authors.forename: Vaidehi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hegde
authors.forename: Colm
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hennessy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids