Why can't a temporal artery biopsy be done under partial or general anesthesia instead of just local?

It could: However, a general is overkill in most instances. If the patient were mentally challenged a general may be used.

Anesthesia: It is physically possilbe to do most procedures while someone is under partial or general anesthesia. However, when the risks of the anesthesia outweigh the benefits received from the anesthesia, then it is not in the patients best interest to receive anesthesia.

Why not?: Local anesthesia is usually used for a temporal artery biopsy. This biopsy is an outpatient/ambulatory minor procedure it's done under local anesthesia. You can request IV sedation (insurance will not pay for it) but general anesthesia is an over-treatment for the minor procedure. It is very important test to rule out temporal arteritis.

Why not local?: This is a very tiny spot to biopsy, and local anesthesia works very well. Is the patient afraid of needles? Claustrophobic? Need to know why the patient prefers more anesthesia. It might be possible to take a sedative pill at home before coming in for the procedure. Also might be possible to use EMLA (lidocaine and prilocaine) cream to numb the skin so that the patient doesn't feel the injection of local.