We were delighted as a group of ophthalmologists and ophthalmology trainees to read the article in The Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology by El-Dairi et al (1), documenting the clinical features associated with 213 temporal artery biopsies (TAB).
This led them to proposing a “clinical algorithm,” which they then state is “highly predictive” for a positive TAB and can be valuable in the evaluation process for suspected cases of giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis or TA).
At the recent Neuro-ophthalmology Society of Australia (NOSA) Annual Scientific Meeting, held in Auckland, New Zealand, from 16th to 21st September 2015, our group presented a template entitled “The temporal arteritis proforma: The 39 steps to clinical diagnosis,” as part of a poster at the meeting.
This documented 23 symptoms and 16 signs of TA, which were felt to be a predictive measure in diagnosis. This was designed to be used not only in general emergency departments but also in all clinics. This should therefore apply to ophthalmology outpatient departments, and outpatient departments of neurology, rheumatology, dermatology, endocrinology, geriatrics, gastroenterology, cardiology, psychiatry, ear nose and throat, vascular surgery, dental surgery, and others.
At the NOSA meeting, laminated A4 templates were distributed to attendees, in hopes that they might find a place in such departments (see Supplemental Digital Content, Fig. E1, https://links.lww.com/WNO/A202). The authors also hope for continuing cooperation between surgical and medical specialties in the treatment of TA.
However, our group believes that, although clinical algorithms may be a useful additional tool, the ultimate arbiter in assessing suspected TA must remain high-quality histopathology of the artery (2). This means that there must be at least 26–28 mm of superficial temporal artery, and the histopathologist must be thorough. If the patient has the disease, and the diagnosis is made within 12–24 hours of the biopsy, the patient's vision and life are likely saved (3).
If the histopathology is negative, the IV methylprednisolone can be ceased forthwith and the patient monitored carefully.
REFERENCES
1. El-Dairi MA, Chang L, Proia AD, Cummings TJ, Stinnett SS, Bhatti MT. Diagnostic algorithm for patients with suspected giant cell arteritis. J Neuroophthalmol. 2015;35:246–253.
2. Dubey R, Chui J, Langford-Smith J, Danesh-Meyer H, Francis IC. Jaw dropping: the necessity of a history and a biopsy in suspected temporal arteritis. Neuroophthalmology. 2011;35:156–157.
3. Sim BWC, Karaconji T, Bhardwaj G, Dubey R, Harris JP, Francis IC. Scalp necrosis in temporal arteritis: abrupt termination of the superficial temporal artery as a possible precursor. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2013;11:551–552.
