bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Giant Cell Arteritis
Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis
A doctor's evaluation Blood tests Biopsy of the temporal artery Sometimes, ultrasound of the temporal arteries Doctors suspect the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis based on symptoms and results of a physical examination. Doctors feel the temples to see whether the temporal arteries feel hard, bumpy, or tender. Blood tests are done. Results can support the diagnosis. For example, anemia, a very high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and a high level of C-reactive protein indicate inflammation. A biopsy of the temporal artery (in the temple) is often done to confirm the diagnosis. Another test to help confirm the diagnosis is an ultrasound of the temporal arteries. It can sometimes make a biopsy unnecessary. The diagnosis is also more likely if the patient also has symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica . If giant cell arteritis is suspected in very large arteries, such as the aorta and its major branches, Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) may be done to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy of the temporal artery is the definitive procedure for diagnosing temporal arteritis. Doppler ultrasonography is occasionally used to locate the part of the temporal artery to be biopsied. After a local anesthetic is injected, a shallow incision is made directly over the artery, and a segment of the artery at least 1 inch long is removed. The incision is then stitched up. 