[Immunohistological and histological findings in the temporal artery in polymyalgia rheumatica]

Immunofluorescent and light-microscopic investigations of the temporal artery were carried out in 36 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. An arteritis was seen in 21 patients. Depositions of fibrin, immunoglobulins, and complement were found in the wall of the temporal artery and/or the vasa vasorum in 24 patients. 14 control patients showed neither an arteritis nor depositions of complement. Positive results were obtained in 91.6% of the patients with polymyalgia rheumatica when simultaneous light-microscopic and immunofluorescent examinations of the temporal artery were carried out.