Comparison of Histopathologic Features, Clinical Symptoms, and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rates in Biopsy-Positive Temporal Arteritis

Because of the strong correlation between biopsy severity and clinical presentation, this study supports the use of temporal artery biopsy to identify patients' risk for complications caused by temporal arteritis. Furthermore, this study indicates that ESR may be more elevated in patients with constitutional or visual symptoms than in patients with headache or scalp pain. Finally, the pathologic grade of the disease may differ significantly from 1 side to the contralateral side.