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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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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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Ninan JV, Lester S, Hill CL. Giant cell arteritis: beyond temporal artery biopsy and steroids. Intern Med J 2018; 47:1228-1240. [PMID: 28485026 DOI: 10.1111/imj.13483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis is the most common primary vasculitis of the elderly. The acute complications of untreated giant cell arteritis, such as vision loss or occasionally stroke, can be devastating. The diagnosis is, however, not altogether straightforward due to variable sensitivities of the temporal artery biopsy as a reference diagnostic test. In this review, we discuss the increasing role of imaging in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. Glucocorticoid treatment is the backbone of therapy, but it is associated with significant adverse effects. A less toxic alternative is required. Conventional and novel immunosuppressive agents have only demonstrated modest effects in a subgroup of steroid refractory Giant cell arteritis due to the different arms of the immune system at play. However, recently a study of interleukin-6 blockade demonstrated benefits of giant cell arteritis. The current status of these immunosuppressive agents and novel therapies are also discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jem V Ninan
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Rheumatology Unit, Modbury Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Susan Lester
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Rheumatology Unit, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Catherine L Hill
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Rheumatology Unit, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Rheumatology Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Bechman K, Gopalan D, Nihoyannopoulos P, Mason JC. A cohort study reveals myocarditis to be a rare and life-threatening presentation of large vessel vasculitis. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2017; 47:241-246. [PMID: 28502640 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2017.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The predominant forms of adult large vessel vasculitis (LVV) are giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TA). Cardiac involvement in LVV is a cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in TA. Cardiac failure is most commonly secondary to uncontrolled arterial hypertension or myocardial ischaemia. Pulmonary hypertension and aortic valve incompetence following ascending aortic dilatation represent other serious cardiovascular complications. However, cardiac failure as a consequence of myocarditis is rarely reported, principally in single case reports or in autopsy studies. METHODS The Imperial College LVV database was, retrospectively, reviewed to identify patients with cardiac involvement at presentation. Patients with evidence for myocarditis were identified. The cardiac presentation, imaging studies and subsequent medical and surgical management were reviewed in detail. RESULTS The cohort included 139 patients with TA and 24 with GCA. Sixteen presented with cardiac failure without a history of ischaemic coronary heart disease, 14 (10%) with TA and 2 (8.3%) with GCA. Cardiovascular disease identified at presentation included aortic regurgitation (n = 11), myocarditis (n = 4) and hypertensive cardiomyopathy secondary to renal artery stenosis (n = 1). Those patients with evidence of myocarditis at presentation (2.8%) underwent transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). These non-invasive techniques were sufficient for diagnosis of clinically significant myocarditis. Furthermore, they were subsequently used to monitor response to treatment, with serial improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) observed in all 4 patients (p < 0.05). Prednisolone plus cyclophosphamide (CyC) therapy was associated with significant improvement in heart failure symptoms and LVEF in 3 cases. In one case where CyC was contraindicated, tocilizumab treatment led to marked improvement in cardiac symptoms. CONCLUSION Clinically significant myocarditis in LVV remains a rare but serious presentation. Non-invasive imaging techniques offer an alternative to the gold-standard myocardial biopsy. Initial aggressive immunosuppressive therapy is recommended and led to significant improvements in LVEF and cardiac status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Bechman
- Rheumatology Department, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
| | - Deepa Gopalan
- Department of Radiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Petros Nihoyannopoulos
- Department of Cardiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Justin C Mason
- Rheumatology Department, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
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Tuckwell K, Collinson N, Dimonaco S, Klearman M, Blockmans D, Brouwer E, Cid MC, Dasgupta B, Rech J, Salvarani C, Unizony SH, Stone JH. Newly diagnosed vs. relapsing giant cell arteritis: Baseline data from the GiACTA trial. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2017; 46:657-664. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2016.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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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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Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis of the elderly. The diagnosis can be challenging at times because of the limitation of the American Rheumatology Association (ARA) classification criteria and the significant proportion of biopsy-negative patients with GCA. We discuss the role of advanced imaging techniques, including positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, in establishing diagnosis and improved histopathology techniques to improve the sensitivity of temporal artery biopsy. There have been significant advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of GCA, particularly the role of cytokine pathways such as the interleukins, IL-6-IL-17 axis, and the IL-12-interferon-γ axis and their implication for new therapies. We highlight that glucocorticoids remain the primary treatment for GCA, but recognize the risk of steroid-induced side effects. A number of pharmacotherapies to enable glucocorticoid dose reduction and prevent relapse have been studied. Early diagnosis and fast-track pathways have improved outcomes by encouraging adherence to evidence-based practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jem Ninan
- Rheumatology Unit, Modbury Hospital, Modbury, South Australia, Australia
| | - Susan Lester
- Rheumatology Unit, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Catherine Hill
- Rheumatology Unit, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia; Rheumatology Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia.
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Bannas P, François CJ, Reeder SB. Magnetic Resonance Angiography of the Upper Extremity. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2016. [PMID: 26216777 DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2015.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) toolbox includes a wide array of versatile methods for diagnosis and therapy planning in patients with a variety of upper extremity vascular pathologies. MRA can provide excellent image quality with high spatial and high temporal resolution without the disadvantages of ionizing radiation, iodinated contrast, and operator dependency. Contrast-enhanced techniques are preferred for their robustness, image quality, and shorter scan times. This article provides an overview of the available MRA techniques and a description of the clinical entities that are well suited for evaluation with contrast-enhanced MRA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bannas
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-3252, USA; Department of Radiology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg 20246, Germany.
| | - Christopher J François
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-3252, USA
| | - Scott B Reeder
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-3252, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2275, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1685 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2281, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
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Prieto-González S, García-Martínez A, Tavera-Bahillo I, Hernández-Rodríguez J, Gutiérrez-Chacoff J, Alba MA, Murgia G, Espígol-Frigolé G, Sánchez M, Arguis P, Cid MC. Effect of glucocorticoid treatment on computed tomography angiography detected large-vessel inflammation in giant-cell arteritis. A prospective, longitudinal study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2015; 94:e486. [PMID: 25654393 PMCID: PMC4602705 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000000486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Computed tomography angiography (CTA) detects signs of large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) in about 67.5% of patients with giant-cell arteritis (GCA) at the time of diagnosis and early aortic dilatation in 15%. The outcome of CTA-findings of LVV upon glucocorticoid treatment has not been prospectively evaluated. The aim of our study was to prospectively assess glucocorticoid-induced changes in CTA findings of LVV in patients with GCA. Forty biopsy-proven GCA patients evaluated by CTA at diagnosis were prospectively followed and scheduled a new CTA approximately after 1 year of treatment. Vessel wall thickening, diameter, and contrast enhancement of the aorta and its tributaries were evaluated. Results were compared to those obtained at the time of diagnosis. CTA was repeated to 35 patients after a median follow-up of 13.5 months (IQ25-75% 12.4-15.8). Arterial wall thickening was still present in 17 patients (68% of the patients who initially had LVV). The number of affected segments and wall thickness at various aortic segments significantly decreased and no patients developed new lesions, new aortic dilation or increase in previous dilation. Contrast enhancement disappeared in 15 (93.75%) of 16 patients in whom this finding could be assessed. Signs of LVV improve with treatment. While contrast enhancement resolves in the majority of patients, vessel wall thickening persists in two thirds. However, the number of affected aortic segments as well as aortic wall thickness significantly decreases. Longer follow-up is necessary to determine the clinical significance of persisting wall thickening and its relationship with relapses or subsequent development of aortic dilatation or large-vessel stenoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Prieto-González
- From the Vasculitis Research Unit, Departments of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases (SP-G, IT-B, JH-R, MAA, GM, GE-F, MCC); Emergency Medicine (AG-M); and Radiology (JG-C, MS, PA), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)
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