5
Table 4. Recommendations for Diagnostic Testing in GCA
Recommendation Level of Evidence
In patients with suspected GCA, we conditionally recommend
an initial unilateral temporal artery biopsy over bilateral biopsies.
Low
In patients with suspected GCA, we conditionally recommend
a long-segment temporal artery biopsy (>1 cm) over a short-
segment temporal artery biopsy (<1 cm).
Low
In patients with suspected GCA, we conditionally recommend
obtaining a temporal artery biopsy specimen within two weeks of
starting oral glucocorticoids over waiting longer than two weeks
for a biopsy.
Low
In patients with suspected GCA, we conditionally recommend
temporal artery biopsy over temporal artery ultrasound for
diagnosis of GCA.
Low
In patients with suspected GCA, we conditionally recommend
temporal artery biopsy over magnetic resonance imaging of the
cranial arteries for establishing a diagnosis of GCA.
Low
In patients with suspected GCA and a negative temporal artery
biopsy (or biopsies), we conditionally recommend non-invasive
vascular imaging of the large vessels with clinical assessment to aid
in diagnosis over clinical assessment alone.
Very low / Low
In patients with newly diagnosed GCA, we conditionally
recommend obtaining non-invasive vascular imaging to evaluate
for large vessel involvement.
Very low
Diagnostic Testing
