Clinical efficacy of temporal artery biopsy in Nashville, Tennessee.

A retrospective study of temporal artery biopsies done over one decade in four Nashville hospitals yielded 412 procedures on 394 patients. Diagnosis was obtained in 17%, and the procedure was helpful in 21% of patients. Only two complications were recorded. There was no correlation between length of biopsy specimen and diagnostic yield. The Nashville experience with temporal artery biopsy is probably representative. Some refinement of procedure application appears necessary.