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Researchers home in on optimal biopsy length for giant cell arteritis
Key clinical point: A biopsy length of 1.5-2 cm provides the optimal amount of information for greatest sensitivity in diagnosing giant cell arteritis while minimizing risks.
Major finding: A biopsy length 1.5-2 cm was associated with increased likelihood of positive biopsies (≥ 1.5 cm vs. < 1.5; odds ratio, 1.57; P = .011).
Study details: Retrospective analysis of 1,203 biopsies from 1,176 patients at 22 institutions.
Disclosures: The study received no funding. Several authors reported receiving personal fees from Hoffmann-LaRoche and serving as site primary investigators for industry-sponsored vasculitis trials.
Chu R et al. Lancet Rheumatol. 2020 Aug 20. doi: 10.1016/S2665-9913(20)30222-8.