The most urgent issue in the patient with suspected temporal (giant cell) arteritis is the prevention of infarction, usually of the optic nerve with resultant permanent visual loss. The most troublesome long-term issue is the development of complications of corticosteroid therapy. The treatment dilemmas are: whether or not to biopsy, and how; what dose of steroids to use; and, how long to treat. We asked several experts to offer their opinions on the subject. Each was informed that new data, detailed analyses, or an authoritative review were not expected. Rather, we wanted their concise views on the subject. Their opinions follow.

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© 1995 S. Karger AG, Basel
1995
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