Radiographic study to assess the reliability of the Gillies approach for biopsy of the superficial temporal artery. Issue 6 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Girgis, D.M.; Gibson, D.J.; Wood, C.J.; Subramaniam, S.S.; Bobinskas, A.M.
• Is Part Of: British journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Volume 56:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 531
• Page End: 535
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: superficial temporal artery -- Gillies approach -- giant cell arteritis -- bifurcation -- anatomy -- frontal -- parietal -- temporal; Mouth -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Maxilla -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Face -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery, Plastic -- Periodicals; Dentistry, Operative -- Periodicals; Face -- surgery -- Periodicals; Mouth -- surgery -- Periodicals; Maxilla -- surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery, Oral -- Periodicals; Oral Surgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Dentistry, Operative -- Periodicals; Bouche -- Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Maxillaire supérieur -- Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Face -- Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Chirurgie dentaire -- Périodiques; Dentistry, Operative; Face -- Surgery; Maxilla -- Surgery; Mouth -- Surgery; Surgery, Plastic; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 617.52059
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2018.05.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-4356

Abstract

Abstract: Biopsy of the superficial temporal artery is often used in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis, but at traditional sites there is a risk of injury to the facial nerve. Recently the Gillies incision has been suggested as an alternative means of access for the biopsy, but the anatomical basis of this has not been fully elucidated. We therefore undertook a radiographic review of 150 patients, and examining 300 vessels, to find out. Our results indicated that there is considerable variability in the position of the bifurcation of the superficial temporal artery, and so a Gillies approach may not be reliable, particularly if access to the bifurcation is required.