What is Temporal Artery Biopsy

Temporal artery biopsy is a procedure that removes a sample of the temporal artery.

Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Temporal arteries are found in your temples, which are on the side of the head and between the ears and eyes. The sample is then examined under a microscope.

This procedure may be done to check to see if you have a condition that causes your arteries to become swollen or inflamed (temporal arteritis or giant cell arteritis).

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Bleeding.
• A collection of blood under the skin (hematoma).
• Infection.
• Nerve damage in the temples. This can cause numbness or make the muscles in your face weak.
• Scarring. On the scalp, hair may not grow around the scar.

What happens before the procedure?

• You may have blood tests to make sure that your blood clots normally.
• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
• If you go home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.
• Ask your health care provider how your surgical site will be marked or identified.
• You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.

What happens during the procedure?

• To reduce your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your skin will be washed with soap.
• Small monitors will be put on your body. They will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, and oxygen level.
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You will be given one or more of the following:
  • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
• A tool that looks like a pencil and uses sound waves (Doppler) may be used to locate the artery.
• A cut (incision) will be made over the temporal artery.
• Two clamps will be placed on the artery. Then, a small piece of the artery between the clamps will be cut and removed.
• The remaining ends of the artery will be closed securely with stitches (sutures) to avoid bleeding. The clamps will then be removed.
• The incision will be closed with sutures.
• A bandage (dressing) may be placed on the incision.
• The artery piece that was taken out will be checked under a microscope.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• You may be given medicine for pain.

Care After Temporal Artery Biopsy

Refer to this sheet in the next few weeks. These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Soreness.
• Bruising.
• Numbness.
• Swelling.

Follow these instructions at home:

Incision care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of the cut made during surgery (incision). Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
• Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Watch for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.

Activity

• Do not do any physical work or strenuous exercise until your health care provider approves.
• Do not lift anything that is heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg).

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider. Do not take aspirin or other NSAIDs unless told by your health care provider. Aspirin may increase your risk of bleeding at the incision site.
• Follow your health care provider’s instructions on bathing or showering.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Medicine does not help your pain.
• You have a fever or chills.
• You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your incision site.
• You have more fluid or blood coming from your incision site.
• Your incision feels warm to the touch.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your incision site.
• You have a fever.
• You develop nausea or vomiting.

Get help right away if:

• You have bleeding from the incision that does not stop after 30 minutes of applying heavy pressure.
• You have chest pain.
• You have shortness of breath.
• You faint.
• You have sudden vision loss.
• You develop weakness or drooping in your face or eye.