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Farina N, Tomelleri A, Campochiaro C, Dagna L. Giant cell arteritis: Update on clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management. Eur J Intern Med 2023; 107:17-26. [PMID: 36344353 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2022.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis affecting people older than 50 years. The last decades have shed new light on the clinical paradigm of this condition, expanding its spectrum beyond cranial vessel inflammation. GCA can be now considered a multifaceted vasculitic syndrome encompassing inflammation of cranial and extra-cranial arteries and girdles, isolated or combined. Such heterogeneity often leads to diagnostic delays and increases the likelihood of acute and chronic GCA-related damage. On the other hand, the approach to suspected GCA patients has been revolutionized by the introduction of vascular ultrasound which allows a rapid, cost-effective, and non-invasive GCA diagnosis. Likewise, the use of tocilizumab is now part of the therapeutic algorithm of GCA and ensures a satisfactory disease control even in steroid-refractory patients. Nonetheless, some aspects of GCA still need to be clarified, including the clinical correlation of different histological patterns, and the prevention of long-term vascular complications. This narrative review depicts the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of GCA most relevant in clinical practice, with a focus on clinical updates and novelties introduced over the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Farina
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele, via Olgettina 60, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Tomelleri
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele, via Olgettina 60, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Corrado Campochiaro
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele, via Olgettina 60, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Dagna
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele, via Olgettina 60, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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2
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Aghayev A, Steigner ML, Azene EM, Burns J, Chareonthaitawee P, Desjardins B, El Khouli RH, Grayson PC, Hedgire SS, Kalva SP, Ledbetter LN, Lee YJ, Mauro DM, Pelaez A, Pillai AK, Singh N, Suranyi PS, Verma N, Williamson EE, Dill KE. ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Noncerebral Vasculitis. J Am Coll Radiol 2021; 18:S380-S393. [PMID: 34794595 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Noncerebral vasculitis is a wide-range noninfectious inflammatory disorder affecting the vessels. Vasculitides have been categorized based on the vessel size, such as large-vessel vasculitis, medium-vessel vasculitis, and small-vessel vasculitis. In this document, we cover large-vessel vasculitis and medium-vessel vasculitis. Due to the challenges of vessel biopsy, imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosing this entity. While CTA and MRA can both provide anatomical details of the vessel wall, including wall thickness and enhancement in large-vessel vasculitis, FDG-PET/CT can show functional assessment based on the glycolytic activity of inflammatory cells in the inflamed vessels. Given the size of the vessel in medium-vessel vasculitis, invasive arteriography is still a choice for imaging. However, high-resolution CTA images can depict small-caliber aneurysms, and thus can be utilized in the diagnosis of medium-vessel vasculitis. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaz Aghayev
- Panel Vice-Chair, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Michael L Steigner
- Panel Chair; and Vascular CT and MR, and Medical Director 3D Lab, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Judah Burns
- Program Director, Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | | | | | - Riham H El Khouli
- Director, Theranostic Program and Chair, NM&MI Clinical Protocol and Quality Improvement (CPQI) Committee, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Peter C Grayson
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, Rheumatologist
| | - Sandeep S Hedgire
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sanjeeva P Kalva
- Chief, Interventional Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; International Editor, Journal of Clinical Interventional Radiology ISVIR; and Assistant Editor, Radiology - Cardiothoracic, RSNA
| | - Luke N Ledbetter
- Director, Head and Neck Imaging, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yoo Jin Lee
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - David M Mauro
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Andres Pelaez
- Director, Lung Transplant Program, University of Florida Gainesville, Gainesville, Florida; and Primary care physician
| | - Anil K Pillai
- Section Chief, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Pal S Suranyi
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Nupur Verma
- Program Director, Department of Radiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Eric E Williamson
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, New York, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
| | - Karin E Dill
- Specialty Chair, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia
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3
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Specific features to differentiate Giant cell arteritis aortitis from aortic atheroma using FDG-PET/CT. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17389. [PMID: 34462502 PMCID: PMC8405613 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96923-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic wall 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-uptake does not allow differentiation of aortitis from atheroma, which is problematic in clinical practice for diagnosing large vessel vasculitis giant-cell arteritis (GCA) in elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the FDG uptake characteristics of GCA aortitis and aortic atheroma using positron emission tomography/FDG computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). This study compared FDG aortic uptake between patients with GCA aortitis and patients with aortic atheroma; previously defined by contrast enhanced CT. Visual grading according to standardized FDG-PET/CT interpretation criteria and semi-quantitative analyses (maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), delta SUV (∆SUV), target to background ratios (TBR)) of FDG aortic uptake were conducted. The aorta was divided into 5 segments for analysis. 29 GCA aortitis and 66 aortic atheroma patients were included. A grade 3 FDG uptake of the aortic wall was identified for 23 (79.3%) GCA aortitis patients and none in the atheroma patient group (p < 0.0001); grade 2 FDG uptake was as common in both populations. Of the 29 aortitis patients, FDG uptake of all 5 aortic segments was positive for 21 of them (72.4%, p < 0.0001). FDG uptake of the supra-aortic trunk was identified for 24 aortitis (82.8%) and no atheromatous cases (p < 0.0001). All semi-quantitative analyses of FDG aortic wall uptake (SUVmax, ∆SUV and TBRs) were significantly higher in the aortitis group. ∆SUV was the feature with the largest differential between aortitis and aortic atheroma. In this study, GCA aortitis could be distinguished from an aortic atheroma by the presence of an aortic wall FDG uptake grade 3, an FDG uptake of the 5 aortic segments, and FDG uptake of the peripheral arteries.
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4
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Andel PM, Chrysidis S, Geiger J, Haaversen A, Haugeberg G, Myklebust G, Nielsen BD, Diamantopoulos A. Diagnosing Giant Cell Arteritis: A Comprehensive Practical Guide for the Practicing Rheumatologist. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 60:4958-4971. [PMID: 34255830 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common large vessel vasculitis in the elderly population. In recent years, advanced imaging has changed the way GCA can be diagnosed in many locations. The GCA fast-track clinic (FTC) approach combined with ultrasound (US) examination allows prompt treatment and diagnosis with high certainty. FTCs have been shown to improve prognosis while being cost effective. However, all diagnostic modalities are highly operator dependent, and in many locations expertise in advanced imaging may not be available. In this paper, we review the current evidence on GCA diagnostics and propose a simple algorithm for diagnosing GCA for use by rheumatologists not working in specialist centres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Andel
- Department of Cardiology, Østfold Hospital Trust, Grålum, Norway.,Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of Southern Norway, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Stavros Chrysidis
- Department of Rheumatology, Southwest Jutland Hospital Esbjerg, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Julia Geiger
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anne Haaversen
- Department of Rheumatology, Martina Hansens Hospital, Bærum, Norway
| | - Glenn Haugeberg
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of Southern Norway, Kristiansand, Norway.,Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Geirmund Myklebust
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of Southern Norway, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Berit D Nielsen
- Department of Medicine, The Regional Hospital in Horsens, Horsens, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Andreas Diamantopoulos
- Department of Rheumatology, Martina Hansens Hospital, Bærum, Norway.,Division of Medicine, Department of Rheumatology, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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5
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Park EH, Yoon CH, Kang EH, Baek HJ. Utility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography in Rheumatic Diseases. JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES 2020. [DOI: 10.4078/jrd.2020.27.3.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eun Hye Park
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chong-Hyeon Yoon
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Ha Kang
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Han Joo Baek
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
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6
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Nielsen BD, Gormsen LC. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Giant Cell Arteritis. PET Clin 2020; 15:135-145. [PMID: 32145884 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/computed tomography (CT) is a highly accurate diagnostic tool for large vessel vasculitis (LVV) and is one of the recommended imaging modalities for confirmation of the diagnosis. This article focuses on the role of FDG-PET/CT in LVV diagnosis and disease monitoring, mainly focusing on giant cell arteritis; in particular, the diagnostic accuracy, diagnostic criteria, the potential pitfalls in the interpretation of large vessel FDG uptake, and the clinical indication compared with other imaging modalities are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Dalsgaard Nielsen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 59, Entrance E, Aarhus, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, Entrance J, Aarhus 8200, Denmark; Diagnostic Centre, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Falkevej 1A, 8600 Silkeborg, Denmark.
| | - Lars Christian Gormsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, Entrance J, Aarhus 8200, Denmark
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7
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Mackie SL, Dejaco C, Appenzeller S, Camellino D, Duftner C, Gonzalez-Chiappe S, Mahr A, Mukhtyar C, Reynolds G, de Souza AWS, Brouwer E, Bukhari M, Buttgereit F, Byrne D, Cid MC, Cimmino M, Direskeneli H, Gilbert K, Kermani TA, Khan A, Lanyon P, Luqmani R, Mallen C, Mason JC, Matteson EL, Merkel PA, Mollan S, Neill L, Sullivan EO, Sandovici M, Schmidt WA, Watts R, Whitlock M, Yacyshyn E, Ytterberg S, Dasgupta B. British Society for Rheumatology guideline on diagnosis and treatment of giant cell arteritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020; 59:e1-e23. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Mackie
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Christian Dejaco
- Rheumatology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
- South Tyrol Health Trust, Department of Rheumtaology, Hospital of Bruneck, Bruneck, Italy
| | - Simone Appenzeller
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dario Camellino
- Division of Rheumatology, La Colletta Hospital, Local Health Trust 3 Genoa
- Autoimmunology Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | - Alfred Mahr
- Internal Medicine, Hôpital Saint-Louis, University Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Chetan Mukhtyar
- Department of Rheumatology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich
| | | | - Alexandre Wagner S de Souza
- Rheumatology Division, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elisabeth Brouwer
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marwan Bukhari
- Rheumatology, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Kendal, Cumbria, UK
| | - Frank Buttgereit
- Department of Medicine (Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology), Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Maria C Cid
- Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut d’Investigacions, Biomèdiques, August Pi I, Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Cimmino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Haner Direskeneli
- Rheumatology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | | | - Asad Khan
- Rheumatology, Solihull Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Peter Lanyon
- Academic Rheumatology, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham
| | - Raashid Luqmani
- Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre – Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford
| | - Christian Mallen
- School of Primary, Community and Social Care, Keele University, Staffordshire
| | | | - Eric L Matteson
- Division of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN
| | - Peter A Merkel
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Susan Mollan
- Birmingham Neuro-Ophthalmology Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham
| | | | - Eoin O’ Sullivan
- Department of Ophthalmology, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Maria Sandovici
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wolfgang A Schmidt
- Medical Centre for Rheumatology Berlin-Buch, Immanuel Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richard Watts
- Rheumatology, Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, UK
- University of East Anglia, Ipswich
| | - Madeline Whitlock
- Rheumatology, Southend University NHS Foundation Trust, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, UK
| | - Elaine Yacyshyn
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Steven Ytterberg
- Department of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Bhaskar Dasgupta
- Department of Rheumatology, Southend University NHS Foundation Trust, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, UK
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8
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Nielsen BD, Hansen IT, Keller KK, Therkildsen P, Gormsen LC, Hauge EM. Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for detecting large-vessel giant cell arteritis using FDG PET/CT as the reference. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2019; 59:2062-2073. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
The diagnostic accuracy of axillary artery US in the diagnosis of large-vessel (LV)-GCA using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT as reference standard was prospectively evaluated in GCA-suspected patients. As an exploratory analysis, the diagnostic accuracy of cranial artery FDG PET/CT was evaluated.
Methods
Briefly, the inclusion criteria were age ≥50 years, raised inflammatory markers and potential GCA symptoms. Patients in immunosuppressive therapy or with a previous diagnosis of GCA or PMR were excluded. Examinations were performed pre-treatment. LV-GCA reference diagnosis was a clinical diagnosis of GCA and PET-proven LV inflammation. GCA patients fulfilling ACR criteria were considered as cranial-GCA (c-GCA). Patients without GCA were considered controls. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the US-measured axillary intima-media thickness was performed. FDG uptake in temporal, maxillary and vertebral arteries was also assessed.
Results
Forty-six patients were diagnosed with LV-GCA, 10 with isolated c-GCA, and in 34 patients GCA was dismissed. Axillary US yielded a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 100% for LV-GCA. An axillary intima-media thickness cut-off of 1.0 mm yielded a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 92%. Adding LV US to temporal assessment increased sensitivity from 71% to 97% (all GCA patients). Cranial artery PET showed a diagnostic sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 100% for c-GCA.
Conclusion
Axillary artery US shows high accuracy for the LV-GCA diagnosis. Building upon the recent EULAR recommendations, we propose a diagnostic algorithm with US as the first-line confirmatory test, not only in c-GCA-suspected patients, but in all patients suspected of GCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Dalsgaard Nielsen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus
- Diagnostic Centre, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Silkeborg
| | - Ib Tønder Hansen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus
| | - Kresten Krarup Keller
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus
- Diagnostic Centre, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Silkeborg
| | - Philip Therkildsen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus
| | - Lars Christian Gormsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ellen-Margrethe Hauge
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus
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Role of positron emission tomography in the assessment of disease burden and risk of relapse in patients affected by giant cell arteritis. Clin Rheumatol 2019; 39:1277-1281. [DOI: 10.1007/s10067-019-04808-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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10
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Padoan R, Crimì F, Felicetti M, Padovano F, Lacognata C, Stramare R, Quaia E, Cecchin D, Bui F, Zucchetta P, Schiavon F. Fully integrated 18F-FDG PET/MR in large vessel vasculitis. THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ITALIAN ASSOCIATION OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE (AIMN) [AND] THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RADIOPHARMACOLOGY (IAR), [AND] SECTION OF THE SOCIETY OF... 2019; 66:272-279. [PMID: 31602964 DOI: 10.23736/s1824-4785.19.03184-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To evaluate the usefulness of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) in large vessels vasculitis (LVV) patients. METHODS We performed an observational retrospective study based on our records. Images were acquired on a PET/MR scanner using 18F-FDG-PET whole body imaging. For each PET scan, a qualitative analysis and a semi-quantitative measure using the maximum of the standardized uptake value (SUVMax) were performed. SUVMax measurements normalized to the liver uptake were categorized using a grading scale. Vessel's wall thickness (WT) was measured at five fixed points (inferior margin of T5, T9, T12, L3, thickest area-max WT). RESULTS 23 LVV patients were included, 56.5% giant cells arteritis, 34.8% Takayasu's arteritis and 8.7% isolated aortitis, all Caucasian, mostly females (82%). We considered 32 PET scans for the LVV group (from min. 1 to max. 3 scans/patient) mainly during follow-up (29/32 scans), and 23 PET scans from a control group of non-metastatic malignancies patients. We found higher SUVMax compared to controls, in all sites, irrespective of clinical disease activity. Mean WT resulted higher in patients than in controls but was not correlated to SUVMax. Mean WT positively correlated with age in both cohorts, inversely correlated to disease duration, while no correlation with SUVMax was observed. The concordance between clinically active disease and PET hypermetabolism was poor (K Cohen 0.33). CONCLUSIONS PET/MR is a safe imaging technique capable of detecting inflammation in aortic wall. Low radiological exposure of PET/MR should be considered especially in young women receiving follow-up studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Padoan
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy -
| | - Filippo Crimì
- Radiology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Mara Felicetti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Federica Padovano
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Carmelo Lacognata
- Radiology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Roberto Stramare
- Radiology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Emilio Quaia
- Radiology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Diego Cecchin
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Franco Bui
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Pietro Zucchetta
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Franco Schiavon
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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11
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Immuno-Imaging to Predict Treatment Response in Infection, Inflammation and Oncology. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8050681. [PMID: 31091813 PMCID: PMC6571748 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8050681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Molecular nuclear medicine plays a pivotal role for diagnosis in a preclinical phase, in genetically susceptible patients, for radio-guided surgery, for disease relapse evaluation, and for therapy decision-making and follow-up. This is possible thanks to the development of new radiopharmaceuticals to target specific biomarkers of infection, inflammation and tumour immunology. Methods: In this review, we describe the use of specific radiopharmaceuticals for infectious and inflammatory diseases with the aim of fast and accurate diagnosis and treatment follow-up. Furthermore, we focus on specific oncological indications with an emphasis on tumour immunology and visualizing the tumour environment. Results: Molecular nuclear medicine imaging techniques get a foothold in the diagnosis of a variety of infectious and inflammatory diseases, such as bacterial and fungal infections, rheumatoid arthritis, and large vessel vasculitis, but also for treatment response in cancer immunotherapy. Conclusion: Several specific radiopharmaceuticals can be used to improve diagnosis and staging, but also for therapy decision-making and follow-up in infectious, inflammatory and oncological diseases where immune cells are involved. The identification of these cell subpopulations by nuclear medicine techniques would provide personalized medicine for these patients, avoiding side effects and improving therapeutic approaches.
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12
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Banerjee S, Quinn KA, Gribbons KB, Rosenblum JS, Civelek AC, Novakovich E, Merkel PA, Ahlman MA, Grayson PC. Effect of Treatment on Imaging, Clinical, and Serologic Assessments of Disease Activity in Large-vessel Vasculitis. J Rheumatol 2019; 47:99-107. [PMID: 30877209 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.181222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Disease activity in large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) is traditionally assessed by clinical and serological variables rather than vascular imaging. This study determined the effect of treatment on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) vascular activity in relation to clinical- and serologic-based assessments. METHODS Patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) or Takayasu arteritis (TA) were prospectively evaluated at 6-month intervals in an observational cohort. Treatment changes were made at least 3 months before the followup visit and categorized as increased, decreased, or unchanged. Imaging (FDG-PET qualitative analysis), clinical, and serologic (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein) assessments were determined at each visit and compared over interval visits. RESULTS Serial assessments were performed in 52 patients with LVV (GCA = 31; TA = 21) over 156 visits. Increased, decreased, or unchanged therapy was recorded for 36-, 23-, and 32-visit intervals, respectively. When treatment was increased, there was significant reduction in disease activity by imaging, clinical, and inflammatory markers (p ≤ 0.01 for each). When treatment was unchanged, all 3 assessments of disease activity remained similarly unchanged over 6-month intervals. When treatment was reduced, PET activity significantly worsened (p = 0.02) but clinical and serologic activity did not significantly change. Treatment of GCA with tocilizumab and of TA with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors resulted in significant improvement in imaging and clinical assessments of disease activity, but only rarely did the assessments both become normal. CONCLUSION In addition to clinical and serologic assessments, vascular imaging has potential to monitor disease activity in LVV and should be tested as an outcome measure in randomized clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhasree Banerjee
- From the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, US National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC; National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,S. Banerjee, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; K.A. Quinn, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS, and Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University; K.B. Gribbons, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; J.S. Rosenblum, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; A.C. Civelek, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; E. Novakovich, BSN, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; P.A. Merkel, MD, MPH, Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania; M.A. Ahlman, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; P.C. Grayson, MD, MSc, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS
| | - Kaitlin A Quinn
- From the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, US National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC; National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,S. Banerjee, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; K.A. Quinn, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS, and Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University; K.B. Gribbons, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; J.S. Rosenblum, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; A.C. Civelek, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; E. Novakovich, BSN, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; P.A. Merkel, MD, MPH, Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania; M.A. Ahlman, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; P.C. Grayson, MD, MSc, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS
| | - K Bates Gribbons
- From the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, US National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC; National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,S. Banerjee, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; K.A. Quinn, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS, and Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University; K.B. Gribbons, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; J.S. Rosenblum, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; A.C. Civelek, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; E. Novakovich, BSN, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; P.A. Merkel, MD, MPH, Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania; M.A. Ahlman, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; P.C. Grayson, MD, MSc, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS
| | - Joel S Rosenblum
- From the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, US National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC; National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,S. Banerjee, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; K.A. Quinn, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS, and Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University; K.B. Gribbons, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; J.S. Rosenblum, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; A.C. Civelek, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; E. Novakovich, BSN, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; P.A. Merkel, MD, MPH, Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania; M.A. Ahlman, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; P.C. Grayson, MD, MSc, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS
| | - Ali Cahid Civelek
- From the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, US National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC; National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,S. Banerjee, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; K.A. Quinn, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS, and Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University; K.B. Gribbons, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; J.S. Rosenblum, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; A.C. Civelek, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; E. Novakovich, BSN, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; P.A. Merkel, MD, MPH, Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania; M.A. Ahlman, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; P.C. Grayson, MD, MSc, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS
| | - Elaine Novakovich
- From the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, US National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC; National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,S. Banerjee, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; K.A. Quinn, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS, and Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University; K.B. Gribbons, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; J.S. Rosenblum, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; A.C. Civelek, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; E. Novakovich, BSN, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; P.A. Merkel, MD, MPH, Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania; M.A. Ahlman, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; P.C. Grayson, MD, MSc, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS
| | - Peter A Merkel
- From the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, US National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC; National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,S. Banerjee, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; K.A. Quinn, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS, and Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University; K.B. Gribbons, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; J.S. Rosenblum, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; A.C. Civelek, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; E. Novakovich, BSN, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; P.A. Merkel, MD, MPH, Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania; M.A. Ahlman, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; P.C. Grayson, MD, MSc, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS
| | - Mark A Ahlman
- From the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, US National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC; National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,S. Banerjee, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; K.A. Quinn, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS, and Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University; K.B. Gribbons, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; J.S. Rosenblum, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; A.C. Civelek, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; E. Novakovich, BSN, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; P.A. Merkel, MD, MPH, Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania; M.A. Ahlman, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; P.C. Grayson, MD, MSc, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS
| | - Peter C Grayson
- From the Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, US National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC; National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. .,S. Banerjee, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; K.A. Quinn, MD, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS, and Division of Rheumatology, Georgetown University; K.B. Gribbons, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; J.S. Rosenblum, BS, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; A.C. Civelek, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; E. Novakovich, BSN, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS; P.A. Merkel, MD, MPH, Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania; M.A. Ahlman, MD, NIH, Clinical Center, Radiology and Imaging Sciences; P.C. Grayson, MD, MSc, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, NIH, NIAMS.
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Simple dichotomous assessment of cranial artery inflammation by conventional 18F-FDG PET/CT shows high accuracy for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis: a case-control study. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2018; 46:184-193. [DOI: 10.1007/s00259-018-4106-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Vaidyanathan S, Chattopadhyay A, Mackie SL, Scarsbrook AF. Comparative effectiveness of 18F-FDG PET-CT and contrast-enhanced CT in the diagnosis of suspected large-vessel vasculitis. Br J Radiol 2018; 91:20180247. [PMID: 29927635 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20180247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) is a serious illness with potentially life-threatening consequences. (18Fluorine) fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET-CT) has emerged as a valuable diagnostic tool in suspected LVV, combining the strengths of functional and structural imaging. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of FDG PET-CT and contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) in the evaluation of patients with LVV. METHODS A retrospective database review for LVV patients undergoing CECT and PET-CT between 2011 to 2016 yielded demographics, scan interval and vasculitis type. Qualitative and quantitative PET-CT analyses included aorta:liver FDG uptake, bespoke FDG uptake distribution scores and vascular maximum standardised uptake values (SUVmax). Quantitative CECT data were assessed for wall thickness and mural-lumen ratio. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were constructed to evaluate comparative diagnostic accuracy and a correlational analysis was conducted between SUVmax and wall thickness. RESULTS 36 adults (17 LVV, 19 controls) with a mean age (range) 63 (38-89) years, of which 17 (47%) were males were included. Time interval between CT and PET was mean [standard deviation (SD)] 1.9 (1.2) months. Both SUVmax and wall thickness demonstrated a significant difference between LVV and controls, with a mean difference [95%confidence interval (CI)] for SUVmax 1.6 (1.1, 2.0) and wall thickness 1.25 (0.68, 1.83) mm, respectively. These two parameters were significantly correlated (p < 0.0001, R = 0.62). The area under the curve (AUC) (95% CI) for SUVmax was 0.95 (0.88-1.00), and for mural thickening was 0.83 (0.66-0.99). CONCLUSION FDG PET-CT demonstrated excellent accuracy whilst CECT mural thickening showed good accuracy in the diagnosis of LVV. Both parameters showed a highly significant correlation. In hospitals without access to FDG PET-CT or in patients unsuitable for PET-CT (e.g. uncontrolled diabetes) CECT offers a viable alternative for the assessment of LVV. Advances in knowledge: FDG PET-CT is a highly accurate test for the diagnosis of LVV. Aorta:liver SUVmax ratio is the most specific parameter for LVV. In hospitals without PET-CT or in unsuitable patients e.g. diabetics, CECT is a viable alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriram Vaidyanathan
- 1 Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St James's University Hospital , Leeds , UK
| | - Arpita Chattopadhyay
- 1 Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St James's University Hospital , Leeds , UK
| | - Sarah L Mackie
- 2 Leeds NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Institute for Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds , Leeds , UK
| | - Andrew F Scarsbrook
- 1 Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St James's University Hospital , Leeds , UK
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FDG-PET/CT(A) imaging in large vessel vasculitis and polymyalgia rheumatica: joint procedural recommendation of the EANM, SNMMI, and the PET Interest Group (PIG), and endorsed by the ASNC. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2018; 45:1250-1269. [PMID: 29637252 PMCID: PMC5954002 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-018-3973-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 286] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Large vessel vasculitis (LVV) is defined as a disease mainly affecting the large arteries, with two major variants, Takayasu arteritis (TA) and giant cell arteritis (GCA). GCA often coexists with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in the same patient, since both belong to the same disease spectrum. FDG-PET/CT is a functional imaging technique which is an established tool in oncology, and has also demonstrated a role in the field of inflammatory diseases. Functional FDG-PET combined with anatomical CT angiography, FDG-PET/CT(A), may be of synergistic value for optimal diagnosis, monitoring of disease activity, and evaluating damage progression in LVV. There are currently no guidelines regarding PET imaging acquisition for LVV and PMR, even though standardization is of the utmost importance in order to facilitate clinical studies and for daily clinical practice. This work constitutes a joint procedural recommendation on FDG-PET/CT(A) imaging in large vessel vasculitis (LVV) and PMR from the Cardiovascular and Inflammation & Infection Committees of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), the Cardiovascular Council of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), and the PET Interest Group (PIG), and endorsed by the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC). The aim of this joint paper is to provide recommendations and statements, based on the available evidence in the literature and consensus of experts in the field, for patient preparation, and FDG-PET/CT(A) acquisition and interpretation for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with suspected or diagnosed LVV and/or PMR. This position paper aims to set an internationally accepted standard for FDG-PET/CT(A) imaging and reporting of LVV and PMR.
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18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica: Screening for vasculitis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 16:38-41. [PMID: 29550251 DOI: 10.1016/j.reuma.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Polymyalgia rheumatica (PR) can be associated with large vessel vasculitis (LVV). We evaluate the diagnostic role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) and its impact on the treatment of LVV associated with PR. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with PR. Data was collected from health records. Blood analysis included acute-phase reactants (APR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. An 18F-FDG PET/CT scan was performed in those patients whose symptoms persisted, in those with elevated APR, those who required higher doses of steroids or those who had atypical features of PR (low-grade fever, weight loss, among others). RESULTS Twenty-three were eligible; 48% (n = 11) of the patients were diagnosed with LVV associated with PR. The site was heterogeneous, but mostly involved the aorta. In 80% of the patients with LVV, a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug was added to their treatment. Elevated CRP values were associated with the likelihood of presenting LVV. CONCLUSIONS LVV is not uncommon, clinical features and elevated CRP levels should raise suspicion of LVV associated with PR. 18F-FDG PET/CT is useful in identifying LVV associated with PR.
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Olthof SC, Krumm P, Henes J, Nikolaou K, la Fougère C, Pfannenberg C, Schwenzer N. Imaging giant cell arteritis and Aortitis in contrast enhanced 18F-FDG PET/CT: Which imaging score correlates best with laboratory inflammation markers? Eur J Radiol 2018; 99:94-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2017.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 10/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Jamar F, Versari A, Galli F, Lecouvet F, Signore A. Molecular Imaging of Inflammatory Arthritis and Related Disorders. Semin Nucl Med 2018; 48:277-290. [PMID: 29626944 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatic disorders comprise a number of diseases that range from benign, mildly symptomatic degenerative disease to severe systemic disorders such as giant-cell vasculitis with dramatic consequences such as acute blindness. The former is relatively common, whereas the latter is rare. In between, commonly encountered disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and the various spondyloarthritides, with or without peripheral enthesitis, are daily challenges for the caring physician. Clinical evaluation is of utmost importance and is constantly described under the form of specialist guidelines in all parts of the world. Objective assessment of inflammatory arthritis and related disorders is of interest both for the care of the individual patient and for the assessment of the effects of the many novel experimental therapies proposed in this field, most of them being very expensive. High-resolution ultrasound, CT and spectral CT, MRI using various sequences, and molecular imaging using either gamma camera imaging (including SPECT-CT) or PET-CT are all proposed for a better assessment of these diseases. This review focuses on the several nuclear medicine techniques that are or may become useful to helping provide better patient care in this field and is mainly oriented to inflammatory rheumatic disorders, excluding mechanical degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Jamar
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc and IREC, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Annibale Versari
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Oncology and High Technology Department, S. Maria Nuova Hospital, AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Filippo Galli
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, "Sapienza" University, Roma, Italy
| | - Frédéric Lecouvet
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc and IREC, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alberto Signore
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, "Sapienza" University, Roma, Italy
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Dyrberg E, Hendel HW, Al-Farra G, Balding L, Løgager VB, Madsen C, Thomsen HS. A prospective study comparing whole-body skeletal X-ray survey with 18F-FDG-PET/CT, 18F-NaF-PET/CT and whole-body MRI in the detection of bone lesions in multiple myeloma patients. Acta Radiol Open 2017; 6:2058460117738809. [PMID: 29123920 PMCID: PMC5661685 DOI: 10.1177/2058460117738809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background For decades, the most widely used imaging technique for myeloma bone lesions has been a whole-body skeletal X-ray survey (WBXR), but newer promising imaging techniques are evolving. Purpose To compare WBXR with the advanced imaging techniques 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT), 18F-sodium fluoride (NaF) PET/CT and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) in the detection of myeloma bone lesions. Material and Methods Fourteen patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were prospectively enrolled. In addition to WBXR, all patients underwent FDG-PET/CT, NaF-PET/CT, and WB-MRI. Experienced specialists performed blinded readings based on predefined anatomical regions and diagnostic criteria. Results In a region-based analysis, a two-sided ANOVA test showed that the extent of detected skeletal disease depends on the scanning technique (P < 0.0001). Tukey’s multiple comparison test revealed that WB-MRI on average detects significantly more affected regions than WBXR (P < 0.005), FDG-PET/CT (P < 0.0001), and NaF-PET/CT (P < 0.05). In a patient-based analysis, a Cochran’s Q test showed that there are no significant differences in the proportion of patients with bone disease detected by the different scanning techniques (P = 0.23). Determination of intrareader variability resulted in Kappa coefficients corresponding to moderate (FDG-PET/CT) and substantial agreement (WB-MRI, WBXR, NaF-PET/CT). Conclusion WB-MRI detects on average significantly more body regions indicative of myeloma bone disease compared to WBXR, FDG-PET/CT, and NaF-PET/CT. The lack of significance in the patient-based analysis is most likely due to the small number of study participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Dyrberg
- Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.,Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Gina Al-Farra
- Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Lone Balding
- Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Claus Madsen
- Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
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Ng RSN. The Use of PET-CT in Rheumatology. HONG KONG BULLETIN ON RHEUMATIC DISEASES 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/hkbrd-2017-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a sensitive imaging tool that gives quantitative measure of underlying inflammation. Computed tomography (CT) scan used in combination with PET further helps to delineate the anatomical structure. PET-CT can be helpful for the early diagnosis of rheumatic diseases by pattern recognition, but its role in disease monitoring still needs further evaluation. It is not a fast track solution for all because of different sensitivity and specificity to different diseases, relative high cost, and radiation exposure to the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ray Sin-Ngai Ng
- Department of Medicine , Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road , Kowloon , Hong Kong
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Kubota K, Yamashita H, Mimori A. Clinical Value of FDG-PET/CT for the Evaluation of Rheumatic Diseases: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, and Relapsing Polychondritis. Semin Nucl Med 2017; 47:408-424. [DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2017.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Lawal I, Sathekge M. F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging of cardiac and vascular inflammation and infection. Br Med Bull 2016; 120:55-74. [PMID: 27613996 DOI: 10.1093/bmb/ldw035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inflammation forms an important core of the aetiopathogenic process involved in many diseases affecting the heart and the blood vessels. These diseases include infections as well as inflammatory non-infectious cardiovascular conditions. The common feature of this is invasion of the heart or blood vessel by inflammatory cells. F-18 2-fluoro 2-deoxy-D glucose (FDG) is an analogue of glucose and like glucose it is taken up by activated inflammatory cells that accumulate at the site of infection. This has formed the basis of the use of F-18 FDG PET/CT in the non-invasive evaluation of human inflammatory diseases. SOURCES OF DATA This review is based on the published academic articles as well as our clinical experience. AREAS OF AGREEMENT F-18 FDG PET/CT is a useful imaging modality in the evaluation of cardiovascular inflammatory disorders. Accumulation and distribution of F-18 FDG at the site of inflammation/infection corresponds to severity of the inflammation/infection and extent of involvement. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY Most studies evaluating utility of F-18 FDG PET/CT in imaging cardiovascular inflammation are small observational studies hence are potentially prone to bias. GROWING POINTS Being a hybrid metabolic and morphologic imaging technique, F-18 FDG PET/CT offers combined advantage of complementary anatomic and metabolic information in disease process. This makes it a useful modality in the diagnosis, determination of extent of disease, prognostication as well as treatment monitoring. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH Larger prospective studies are needed to validate the superiority of F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging over conventional anatomic imaging modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismaheel Lawal
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X169, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Mike Sathekge
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X169, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
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Abstract
Various imaging modalities, including color duplex ultrasonography, CT angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, and PET, are emerging as important aids to the diagnosis, staging, evaluation of disease activity and response to treatment in systemic vasculitis. Although large-vessel vasculitis is the main target of imaging, refinement and increasing accuracy of imaging modalities are also providing useful information in the evaluation of medium-vessel and small-vessel vasculitis.
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Treitl KM, Maurus S, Sommer NN, Kooijman-Kurfuerst H, Coppenrath E, Treitl M, Czihal M, Hoffmann U, Dechant C, Schulze-Koops H, Saam T. 3D-black-blood 3T-MRI for the diagnosis of thoracic large vessel vasculitis: A feasibility study. Eur Radiol 2016; 27:2119-2128. [PMID: 27510630 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-016-4525-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the feasibility of T1w-3D black-blood turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence with variable flip angles for the diagnosis of thoracic large vessel vasculitis (LVV). METHODS Thirty-five patients with LVV, diagnosed according to the current standard of reference, and 35 controls were imaged at 3.0T using 1.2 × 1.3 × 2.0 mm3 fat-suppressed, T1w-3D, modified Volumetric Isotropic TSE Acquisition (mVISTA) pre- and post-contrast. Applying a navigator and peripheral pulse unit triggering (PPU), the total scan time was 10-12 min. Thoracic aorta and subclavian and pulmonary arteries were evaluated for image quality (IQ), flow artefact intensity, diagnostic confidence, concentric wall thickening and contrast enhancement (CWT, CCE) using a 4-point scale. RESULTS IQ was good in all examinations (3.25 ± 0.72) and good to excellent in 342 of 408 evaluated segments (83.8 %), while 84.1 % showed no or minor flow artefacts. The interobserver reproducibility for the identification of CCE and CWT was 0.969 and 0.971 (p < 0.001) with an average diagnostic confidence of 3.47 ± 0.64. CCE and CWT were strongly correlated (Cohen's k = 0.87; P < 0.001) and significantly more frequent in the LVV-group (52.8 % vs. 1.0 %; 59.8 % vs. 2.4 %; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Navigated fat-suppressed T1w-3D black-blood MRI with PPU-triggering allows diagnosis of thoracic LVV. KEY POINTS • Cross-sectional imaging is frequently applied in the diagnosis of LVV. • Navigated, PPU-triggered, T1w-3D mVISTA pre- and post contrast takes 10-12 min. • In this prospective, single-centre study, T1w-3D mVISTA accurately depicted large thoracic vessels. • T1w-3D mVISTA visualized CWT/CCW as correlates of mural inflammation in LVV. • T1w-3D mVISTA might be an alternative diagnostic tool without ionizing radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Maria Treitl
- Institute for Clinical Radiology, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 1, 80336, Munich, Germany. .,German Center for Cardiovascular Disease Research (DZHK e. V.), Pettenkoferstr. 8a, 80336, Munich, Germany.
| | - Stefan Maurus
- Institute for Clinical Radiology, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 1, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Nora Narvina Sommer
- Institute for Clinical Radiology, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 1, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Eva Coppenrath
- Institute for Clinical Radiology, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 1, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Marcus Treitl
- Institute for Clinical Radiology, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 1, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Czihal
- Division of Vascular Medicine, Medical Clinic and Policlinic IV, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 8a, D-80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Hoffmann
- Division of Vascular Medicine, Medical Clinic and Policlinic IV, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 8a, D-80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Claudia Dechant
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Clinic and Policlinic IV, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 8a, D-80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Hendrik Schulze-Koops
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Clinic and Policlinic IV, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 8a, D-80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Saam
- Institute for Clinical Radiology, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 1, 80336, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Disease Research (DZHK e. V.), Pettenkoferstr. 8a, 80336, Munich, Germany
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Blockmans D. Use of FDG-PET Scan for the Assessment of Large Vessel Vasculitis. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN RHEUMATOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s40674-016-0044-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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27
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Abstract
Much progress has been made in the use of imaging as a diagnostic tool in giant cell arteritis (GCA), which assists in the management of patients where the initial diagnosis is unclear. This includes patients with atypical cranial symptoms, or with predominantly systemic, constitutional or limb symptoms. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are capable of visualising both the cranial and extracranial large vessel circulation, with vessel wall thickening and stenotic lesions being visualised. Computed tomographic angiography is helpful in visualising the aorta for aneurysm complicating GCA but can also detect vessel wall thickening in established large vessel vasculitis. PET-CT is a very sensitive test for early vascular inflammation in extracranial large vessel vasculitis, before aneurysmal or stenotic lesions have developed, of use in the patient with unexplained constitutional symptoms. The place of imaging in the follow-up of GCA is being investigated, and repeated imaging may be useful in select cases. Generally, vascular abnormalities become less defined once glucocorticoid treatment has been started, and therefore, imaging studies must be conducted early as part of a GCA fast-track assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asad Khan
- Department of Rheumatology, Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 0RY, UK
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28
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Spira D, Xenitidis T, Henes J, Horger M. MRI parametric monitoring of biological therapies in primary large vessel vasculitides: a pilot study. Br J Radiol 2015; 89:20150892. [PMID: 26649990 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20150892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the development of characteristic MRI changes in patients with primary large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) when treated with biological therapies. METHODS 12 patients with primary LVV (8 patients with Takayasu arteritis and 4 patients with giant-cell arteritis) received biological therapy with tumour necrosis factor-α blockers (n = 9) or an interleukin-6 inhibitor (n = 3). MRI investigations were performed at baseline (pre-treatment) and follow-up. All patients underwent the same MRI/MR angiography (MRA) protocol. Laboratory parameters (C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and clinical response (Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score) were assessed. RESULTS Wall thickness was 4.2 ± 0.3 mm pre-treatment and significantly decreased to 3.2 ± 0.3 mm post treatment in 9/12 patients. Mural enhancement was increased in all 12/12 patients with LVV, and subsided with therapy in 5/12 patients. Mural oedema or ill-defined contour were less prevalent but also improved with biological treatment. C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels decreased, and clinical assessment revealed a significant improvement from pre-treatment to post-treatment. However, the course of imaging characteristics often did not parallel that of laboratory or clinical parameters. In all three patients receiving interleukin-6 blockade, laboratory markers and clinical scores normalized despite persistent vascular inflammation in one patient which was disclosed by MRI. CONCLUSION Contrast-enhanced MRI/MRA may be useful when evaluating the development of disease activity in primary LVV under biological therapies. A high degree of suspicion and regular imaging follow-up is needed to detect persistent inflammation. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE This is the first study investigating the applicability of different MRI/MRA parameters for monitoring biological therapy in patients with primary LVV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Spira
- 1 Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Theodoros Xenitidis
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine II, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jörg Henes
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine II, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marius Horger
- 3 Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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The prognostic value of baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT in steroid-naïve large-vessel vasculitis: introduction of volume-based parameters. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2015; 43:340-348. [DOI: 10.1007/s00259-015-3148-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Yamashita H, Kubota K, Mimori A. Clinical value of whole-body PET/CT in patients with active rheumatic diseases. Arthritis Res Ther 2015; 16:423. [PMID: 25606590 PMCID: PMC4289312 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-014-0423-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced imaging techniques may enable early diagnosis and monitoring of therapy in various rheumatic diseases. To prevent irreversible tissue damage, inflammatory rheumatic disease must be diagnosed and treated in pre-clinical stages, requiring highly sensitive detection techniques. Positron emission tomography (PET) provides highly sensitive, quantitative imaging at a molecular level, revealing the important pathophysiological processes underlying inflammation. This review provides an overview of the current utility of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/computed tomography (CT) in patients with active rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, adult-onset Still’s disease, relapsing polychondritis, immunoglobulin G4-related disease, large-vessel vasculitis, Wegener’s granulomatosis, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis. We also discuss the role of FDG-PET/CT in the diagnosis and monitoring of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Yamashita
- Division of Rheumatic Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1, Toyama Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan.
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Luqmani RA. State of the art in the treatment of systemic vasculitides. Front Immunol 2014; 5:471. [PMID: 25352843 PMCID: PMC4195356 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) are associated with small vessel vasculitides (AASV) affecting the lungs and kidneys. Structured clinical assessment using the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score and Vasculitis Damage Index should form the basis of a treatment plan and be used to document progress, including relapse. Severe disease with organ or life threatening manifestations needs cyclophosphamide or rituximab, plus high dose glucocorticoids, followed by lower dose steroid plus azathioprine, or methotrexate. Additional plasmapheresis is effective for very severe disease, reducing dialysis dependence from 60 to 40% in the first year, but with no effect on mortality or long-term renal function, probably due to established renal damage. In milder forms of ANCA-associated vasculitis, methotrexate, leflunomide, or mycophenolate mofetil are effective. Mortality depends on initial severity: 25% in patients with renal failure or severe lung hemorrhage; 6% for generalized non-life threatening AASV but rising to 30–40% at 5 years. Mortality from GPA is four times higher than the background population. Early deaths are due to active vasculitis and infection. Subsequent deaths are more often due to cardiovascular events, infection, and cancer. We need to improve the long-term outcome, by controlling disease activity but also preventing damage and drug toxicity. By contrast, in large vessel vasculitis where mortality is much less but morbidity potentially greater, such as giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis, therapeutic options are limited. High dose glucocorticoid results in significant toxicity in over 80%. Advances in understanding the biology of the vasculitides are improving therapies. Novel, mechanism based therapies such as rituximab in AASV, mepolizumab in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and tocilizumab in GCA, but the lack of reliable biomarkers remains a challenge to progress in these chronic relapsing diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raashid Ahmed Luqmani
- NDORMS, Rheumatology Department, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, University of Oxford , Oxford , UK
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