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Awaiting GCA diagnosis biopsy

Posted by gud2gro @gud2gro, 14 hours ago

In a second PMR flareup. Woke with swollen jaw hinge. Rheumatologist has me scheduled for a biopsy with an ophthalmologist. At my annual visit yesterday my optometrist seemed surprised that they weren't doing an ESR first and that an ophthalmologist would be doing a biopsy. I had told him about the PMR, blood tests, etc. Was he not listening, am I missing something., or is he in need of a little "education"?

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Mike | @dadcue | 12 hours ago

While both specialties are called "doctors" the training is very different. Ophthalmologists have 12–14 years of training, including medical school and surgery. Optometrists complete a 4-year optometry degree.

Ophthalmologists, General Surgeons, and Vascular Surgeons are equally capable of performing temporal artery biopsies. Checking ESR and CRP levels is a standard practice when GCA is suspected but symptoms of GCA carry the most weight. Symptoms of GCA is especially true when a patient has a history of PMR. Even a temporal artery biopsy can be falsely negative.

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