Table 2.
Comparison of results obtained by colour Doppler ultrasonography and temporal artery biopsy
| Parameter | GCA (n = 60), n/total (%) | No GCA (n = 138), n/total (%) |
|---|---|---|
| CDUS, n = 198 | ||
| Positive CDUSa | 56/60 (93.3) | 2/138 (1.4) |
| Negative CDUS | 4/60 (6.7) | 134/138 (97.1) |
| Inconclusive CDUSb | 0/60 (0.0) | 2/138 (1.4) |
| TAB, n = 62 | ||
| Positive TAB | 18/26 (69.2) | 0/36 (0.0) |
| Negative TAB | 8/26 (30.8) | 36/36 (100.0) |
| TAB performed in our vasculitis centre, n = 40 | ||
| Positive TAB | 15/19 (78.9) | 0/21 (0.0) |
| Negative TAB | 4/19 (21.1) | 21/21 (100.0) |
| TAB performed in referring hospitals, n = 22 | ||
| Positive TAB | 3/7 (42.9) | 0/15 (0.0) |
| Negative TAB | 4/7 (57.1) | 15/15 (100.0) |
a
Fifty-six patients with positive CDUS: 55 patients with positive CDUS of the temporal arteries, 12 patients with positive CDUS of axillary arteries, including 1 patient with positive CDUS of isolated axillary arteries without temporal artery involvement.
b
The US was either technically difficult to interpret or showed mild thickening of the intima–media complex at the upper limit of normal.
CDUS: colour Doppler ultrasonography; TAB: temporal artery biopsy.