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Arterite di Horton: è sempre necessaria la biopsia dell’arteria temporale?

Is temporal artery biopsy always necessary in temporal arteritis?

  • Published:
Archivio di Ortopedia e Reumatologia

Abstract

Temporal arteritis is the most common form of systemic vasculitis affecting elderly persons. The disease is considered a medical emergency, with potentially severe ophthalmic complications such as rapidly progressive irreversible visual loss. A prompt diagnosis and an immediate pharmacologic treatment are mandatory in order to prevent these complications. At present temporal artery biopsy is considered the diagnostic “gold standard” but new evidences support the role of ultrasonography as a non-invasive approach for the diagnosis of the disease. Recent advances in technologic equipment, together with skilled operators, will contribute to support the role of this approach in the diagnosis, follow-up and prevention of subsequent flares of the disease after treatment withdrawal. Further studies to assess the test performance in these settings are warranted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Reumatologia, Struttura Complessa di Reumatologia DH, Istituto Ortopedico G.Pini, Milano, Italy

    L. Sinigaglia & S. Casari

  2. Divisione di Chirurgia Vascolare, Istituto Ortopedico G.Pini, Milano, Italy

    G. Di Luca

Authors
  1. L. Sinigaglia
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  2. S. Casari
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  3. G. Di Luca
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Sinigaglia, L., Casari, S. & Di Luca, G. Arterite di Horton: è sempre necessaria la biopsia dell’arteria temporale?. Arch Ortop Reumatol 121, 23–25 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10261-010-0011-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10261-010-0011-1

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