[Giant cell arteritis: diagnostic value of a second biopsy of the temporal artery (author's transl)]

A 79-year old female patient with antecedents of headache and fever, was admitted because of fatigue, anorexia, anemia and elevated ESR. After admission she presented with rheumatic polymyalgia and synovial effusion in the knee. A first biopsy of the temporal artery was normal. After dismissing other possible causes a second biopsy of the contralateral temporal artery was bone and confirmed giant cell arteritis. Diagnostic value of a second temporal artery biopsy is discussed and justified by: a) a confirmed diagnosis is necessary for prolonged treatment with corticosteroids, b) if it is decided to treat the rheumatic polymyalgia with lower doses of corticosteroids than for temporal arteritis the certainty that no temporal arteritis is present and c) shortening the hospital stay and lowering the cost and number of diagnostic procedures. The frequency of arthritis and synovial effusion in temporal arteritis are also discussed.