OBSERVATIONS ON TEMPORAL ARTERITIS

Abstract

Abstract Clinical and laboratory findings in 53 consecutive cases of temporal arteritis, 48 verified at biopsy, are reported. The remaining 5 had typical history and a tender thickening of one or both temporal arteries. Signs of ocular involvement were present in 14 cases. The ESR was over 50 mm/h in all cases, in 42 over 100. Most cases had a slight anemia, hypoalbuminemia and raised α‐2‐globulin and fibrinogen. Twenty‐nine of 48 cases had elevated serum alkaline phosphatases. BSP tests (20 mg/kg b.wt.) were carried out in 16 patients. All gave abnormal results. The test was more abnormal in the patients with ocular involvement. With this single exception there was no constant difference in clinical or laboratory findings between the groups with and without ocular engagement.