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Seitz P, Lötscher F, Bucher S, Bütikofer L, Maurer B, Hakim A, Seitz L. Ultrasound intima-media thickness cut-off values for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis using a dual clinical and MRI reference standard and cardiovascular risk stratification. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1389655. [PMID: 38654833 PMCID: PMC11037081 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1389655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives To derive segmental cut-off values and measures of diagnostic accuracy for the intima-media thickness of compressed temporal artery segments for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) on the patient level. To examine the influence of cardiovascular risk. Methods Retrospectively, patients evaluated for GCA with an ultrasound of the temporal arteries and an MRI of the head, including a T1-fatsat-black blood (T1-BB) sequence, were identified and classified based on cardiovascular risk and a dual reference standard of T1-BB on the segmental level and the clinical diagnosis on the patient level. Intima-media thickness of the common superficial temporal artery (CSTA), frontal and parietal branches (FB, PB) were measured by compression technique. Statistically and clinically optimal (specificity of approx. 90% for the patient level) cut-offs were derived. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated on the patient level. Results The population consisted of 144 patients, 74 (51.4%) with and 70 (48.6%) without GCA. The statistically optimal cut-offs were 0.86 mm, 0.68 mm and 0.67 mm for the CSTA, the FB and PB, respectively. On the patient level sensitivity and specificity were 86.5 and 81.4%. Clinically optimal cut-offs were 1.01 mm, 0.82 mm and 0.69 mm and showed a sensitivity of 79.7% and a specificity of 90.0%. For patients without high cardiovascular risk, statistically optimal cut-offs showed a sensitivity of 89.6% and a specificity of 90.5%. Conclusion Newly derived ultrasound intima-media thickness cut-offs with a dual reference standard show high diagnostic accuracy on the patient level for the diagnosis of GCA, particularly in patients without high cardiovascular risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Seitz
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Lötscher
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Susana Bucher
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Bütikofer
- CTU Bern, Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Britta Maurer
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Arsany Hakim
- University Institute of Interventional and Diagnostic Neuroradiology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luca Seitz
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Seitz L, Seitz P, Pop R, Lötscher F. Spectrum of Large and Medium Vessel Vasculitis in Adults: Primary Vasculitides, Arthritides, Connective Tissue, and Fibroinflammatory Diseases. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2022; 24:352-370. [PMID: 36166150 PMCID: PMC9513304 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-022-01086-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To provide a comprehensive overview of the spectrum of large and medium vessel vasculitis in adults with primary vasculitides, arthritides, connective tissue, and fibroinflammatory diseases as well as vasculitis mimics, for an efficient differential diagnosis and initial diagnostic approach. RECENT FINDINGS Imaging has had a tremendous impact on the diagnosis of medium to large vessel vasculitis, now often replacing histopathologic confirmation and identifying new disease manifestations (e.g., intracranial disease in giant cell arteritis; vascular manifestations of IgG4-related disease). Novel diseases or syndromes involving blood vessels have been described (e.g., VEXAS-Syndrome with polychondritis). The use of the terms "medium" or "large" vessel varies considerably between medical specialties. The differential diagnosis of large and medium vessel vasculitis is becoming increasingly complex as new entities or disease manifestations of known inflammatory rheumatic diseases are regularly identified. A more precise and widely recognized definition of the vessel sizes would make future research more comparable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Seitz
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland.
- Immunodeficiency Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Pascal Seitz
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roxana Pop
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Lötscher
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
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Molina-Collada J, López Gloria K, Castrejón I, Nieto-González JC, Martínez-Barrio J, Anzola Alfaro AM, Rivera J, Álvaro-Gracia JM. Impact of cardiovascular risk on the diagnostic accuracy of the ultrasound Halo Score for giant cell arteritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2022; 24:232. [PMID: 36229861 PMCID: PMC9558391 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-022-02920-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of cardiovascular risk (CVR) on the diagnostic accuracy of the ultrasonographic (US) Halo Score in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS Retrospective observational study of patients referred to our US fast track clinic with suspected GCA for a 2-year period. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of cranial and extra-cranial arteries and the Halo Score was determined to assess the extent of vascular inflammation. The European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on CV Disease Prevention were used to define different categories of CVR and patients were classified according to the Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE). The gold standard for GCA diagnosis was clinical confirmation after a 6-month follow-up. RESULTS Of the 157 patients included, 47 (29.9%) had GCA after a 6-month follow-up. Extra-cranial artery IMT was significantly higher in patients with high/very high CVR than in those with low/moderate CVR, but only among patients without GCA. Non-GCA patients with high/very high CVR had also a significantly higher Halo Score in contrast with low/moderate CVR [9.38 (5.93) vs 6.16 (5.22); p = 0.007]. The area under the ROC curve of the Halo Score to identify GCA was 0.835 (95% CI 0.756-0.914), slightly greater in patients with low/moderate CVR (0.965 [95% CI 0.911-1]) versus patients with high/very high CVR (0.798 [95% CI 0.702-0.895]). A statistically weak positive correlation was found between the Halo Score and the SCORE (r 0.245; c = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Elevated CVR may influence the diagnostic accuracy of the US Halo Score for GCA. Thus, CVR should be taken into consideration in the US screening for GCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Molina-Collada
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Calle del Dr. Esquerdo, 46, 28007, Madrid, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Katerine López Gloria
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Calle del Dr. Esquerdo, 46, 28007, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Castrejón
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Calle del Dr. Esquerdo, 46, 28007, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Nieto-González
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Calle del Dr. Esquerdo, 46, 28007, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Julia Martínez-Barrio
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Calle del Dr. Esquerdo, 46, 28007, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana M Anzola Alfaro
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Calle del Dr. Esquerdo, 46, 28007, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Rivera
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Calle del Dr. Esquerdo, 46, 28007, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - José María Álvaro-Gracia
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Calle del Dr. Esquerdo, 46, 28007, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
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Lötscher F, Pop R, Seitz P, Recher M, Seitz L. Spectrum of Large- and Medium-Vessel Vasculitis in Adults: Neoplastic, Infectious, Drug-Induced, Autoinflammatory, and Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2022; 24:293-309. [PMID: 35920952 PMCID: PMC9362566 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-022-01083-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To provide a comprehensive review of drugs and neoplastic, infectious, autoinflammatory, and immunodeficiency diseases causing medium- to large-vessel vasculitis in adults with emphasis on information essential for the initial diagnostic process. RECENT FINDINGS Entities with medium- to large-vessel vasculitis as clinical manifestations have been described recently (e.g., adenosine deaminase-2 deficiency, VEXAS-Syndrome), and vasculitis in established autoinflammatory or immunodeficiency diseases is increasingly being identified. In the diagnostic process of medium- to large-vessel vasculitis in adults, a large variety of rare diseases should be included in the differential diagnosis, especially if diagnosis is made without histologic confirmation and in younger patients. Although these disorders should be considered, they will undoubtedly remain rare in daily practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Lötscher
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roxana Pop
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Seitz
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mike Recher
- Immunodeficiency Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University Center for Immunology, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luca Seitz
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland.
- Immunodeficiency Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Skoog J, Svensson C, Eriksson P, Sjöwall C, Zachrisson H. The Diagnostic Performance of an Extended Ultrasound Protocol in Patients With Clinically Suspected Giant Cell Arteritis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:807996. [PMID: 35118098 PMCID: PMC8804250 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.807996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of an extended ultrasound protocol in patients referred under the suspicion of giant cell arteritis (GCA).MethodsConsecutive patients with suspected GCA were examined with an extended color duplex ultrasound (CDU) protocol during a period of 2 years. The extended CDU protocol included temporal, axillary, subclavian, brachiocephalic, and carotid arteries. The reference was clinically diagnosed GCA, confirmed after ≥6-month follow-up. Hypo- or medium-echogenic, circumferential, homogenous wall thickening, and/or a positive compression sign in temporal arteries, were regarded as typical signs of arteritis.ResultsOf the eligible 201 patients, 83 (41%) received a clinical GCA diagnosis at follow-up ≥6 months post CDU examination. Among these cases, 48 (58%) demonstrated inflammation solely in temporal arteries, 8 (10%) showed abnormalities restricted to extra-cranial vessels, and 23 (28%) patients displayed inflammatory changes in both temporal and extra-cranial arteries. Color duplex ultrasound of temporal arteries yielded a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity [95% confidence intervals (CI)] of 86% (76–92%) and 99% (95–99%), respectively. By adding axillary artery examination, the sensitivity increased to 92% (83–97%) while the specificity remained unchanged. Further, inclusion of subclavian artery marginally increased the sensitivity by 1%. Finally, by also including brachiocephalic and common carotid arteries resulted in a sensitivity of 95% (88–99%) and a specificity of 98% (94–99%).ConclusionsColor duplex ultrasound examination demonstrated a high accuracy in diagnosing patients both with cranial and extra-cranial GCA. Further examination of brachiocephalic and common carotid arteries can increase the sensitivity without affecting the specificity when temporal and axillary findings are indecisive. Finally, the extended CDU protocol allows measurement of the general burden of inflammation, which could be relevant for future monitoring purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Skoog
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Johan Skoog
| | - Christina Svensson
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per Eriksson
- Division of Inflammation and Infection/Rheumatology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Christopher Sjöwall
- Division of Inflammation and Infection/Rheumatology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Helene Zachrisson
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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