Temporal Artery Biopsy
The temporal arteries are the small pulsatile structures in front of each ear and running up onto the forehead. In cases of severe headaches without a clear cause, and in certain inflammatory conditions diagnosed by blood tests, a biopsy of a temporal artery may reveal that the cause is Temporal Arteritis. This condition is frequently very responsive to steroid treatment.
The biopsy is performed through a 1-2 inch incision in front of the earlobe under local anesthesia, and the incision is cosmetically closed such that minimal scarring or discomfort usually occurs. There are no significant activity restrictions post-op, and the biopsy results are available within 3 days.
