Facial nerve injury during temporal artery biopsy.
Temporal artery biopsy is considered the gold standard investigation of giant cell arteritis and is recommended in suspected cases despite a sensitivity of 81-91%. This review highlights the potential risk of facial nerve injury during temporal artery biopsy and introduces recent advances in the emerging role of imaging modalities. When these non-invasive techniques are used in conjunction with American College of Rheumatology scoring, which includes clinical features and biochemical test results, temporal artery biopsy may be avoided in selected cases.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.
A R
AR
Gunawardene
H
H
Chant
D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000473:pathology*