Temporal arteriography. analysis of 21 cases and a review of the literature

To define the role of temporal arteriography in the diagnosis of giant‐cell arteritis, the results of temporal arteriography in 21 patients who had temporal artery biopsies were reviewed. Abnormal angiography was found in all patients with biopsy‐proven giant‐cell arteritis, in some patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and normal biopsy, and in some patients with neither polymyalgia rheumatica nor giant‐cell arteritis. No pattern of angiographic abnormality typical for giant‐cell arteritis could be found. Results suggest temporal arteriography is a sensitive but nonspecific procedure in the diagnosis of giant‐cell arteritis and must be coupled with biopsy of angiographic abnormalities for confirmation of diagnosis.