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Mestre-Torres J, Sanz-Pérez I. [Doppler ultrasound in giant cell arteritis: More lights than shadows]. Med Clin (Barc) 2024; 163:132-133. [PMID: 38871613 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2024.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jaume Mestre-Torres
- Servei de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España.
| | - Isidro Sanz-Pérez
- Servei de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
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Skoog J, Svensson C, Eriksson P, Sjöwall C, Zachrisson H. High-frequency ultrasound with superb microvascular imaging: a potential tool for ultrasound assessment in patients with giant cell arteritis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1431385. [PMID: 39050531 PMCID: PMC11266178 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1431385] [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: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The objective of this study was 2-fold: first, to evaluate whether superb microvascular imaging (SMI) could be used to visualize neovascularization in temporal arteries, and, second, to evaluate the diagnostic performance of high frequency ultrasound with SMI using an extended protocol in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA). Methods This retrospective study comprised 120 patients consecutively examined with an extended CDU protocol (temporal, facial, axillary, subclavian, brachiocephalic, and carotid arteries) between 2020 and 2022. Of all patients, 107 had no previous GCA diagnosis and 13 had a previous GCA diagnosis. SMI was used to evaluate neovascularization in the temporal arteries. Arteritis were characterized as low- or medium-echogenic, homogeneous wall thickening, with or without a positive compression sign in the temporal arteries. The Halo count, i.e., the number of temporal and axillary artery segments with signs of arteritis, was evaluated. The reference was clinically diagnosed GCA confirmed after ≥6-month follow-up. Results Of the eligible 107 patients with new suspected GCA, 33 (31%) received a clinical GCA diagnosis. Neovascularization was detected in 14 patients (43%). Patients with neovascularization displayed a higher halo count [median 6 (25th-75th percentile 4.75-7) vs. 3 (2-4-4), p = 0.005]. CDU of only the temporal arteries showed sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence intervals) of 94% (80-100%) and 100% (95-100%), respectively. The addition of extra-cranial arteries increased the sensitivity to 100%. Of the 13 patients investigated for suspected relapse, three had a clinically confirmed relapse. One of them displayed neovascularization together with other signs of inflammation. Conclusions We show for the first time that inflammatory neovascularization of the temporal arteries can be detected by SMI. Neovascularization is associated with a more-widespread cranial disease. The value of neovascularization should be further investigated, especially for the detection of GCA relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Skoog
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Christina Svensson
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per Eriksson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Inflammation and Infection/Rheumatology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Christopher Sjöwall
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Inflammation and Infection/Rheumatology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Helene Zachrisson
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Aghayev A, Weber B, Lins de Carvalho T, Glaudemans AWJM, Nienhuis PH, van der Geest KSM, Slart RHJA. Multimodality imaging to assess diagnosis and evaluate complications of large vesselarteritis. J Nucl Cardiol 2024; 37:101864. [PMID: 38663459 PMCID: PMC11257818 DOI: 10.1016/j.nuclcard.2024.101864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Different types of vasculitis can be distinguished according to the blood vessel's size that is preferentially affected: large-vessel, medium-vessel, and small-vessel vasculitides. Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) are the main forms of large-vessel vasculitis, and may lead to lumen narrowing. Clinical manifestations of arterial narrowing on the short- and long term include vision loss, stroke, limb ischemia, and heart failure. Imaging tools are well established diagnostic tests for large-vessel vasculitis and may aid therapy monitoring in selected cases while providing important information regarding the occurrence of vascular damage, tissue and organ complications. This review aims to provide the current status of multimodality imaging for the diagnosis and identification of vascular complications in the field of large vessel vasculitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaz Aghayev
- Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brittany Weber
- Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tiago Lins de Carvalho
- Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andor W J M Glaudemans
- Medical Imaging Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Pieter H Nienhuis
- Medical Imaging Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Kornelis S M van der Geest
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Riemer H J A Slart
- Medical Imaging Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Biomedical Photonic Imaging, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands.
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Denis G, Espitia O, Allix-Béguec C, Dieval C, Lorcerie F, Gombert B, Pouget-Abadie X, Toquet C, Agard C, Raimbeau A, Gautier G, Goujon JM, Durand G, Thollot-Karolewicz C, Lormeau C, Grados A, Grenot-Mercier A, El-Khoury R, Riche A, Hospital F, Visee S, Auriault ML, Landron C, Martin M, Roncato C. Diagnostic Strategy Using Color Doppler Ultrasound of Temporal Arteries in Patients With High Clinical Suspicion of Giant Cell Arteritis : A Prospective Cohort Study. Ann Intern Med 2024; 177:729-737. [PMID: 38710093 DOI: 10.7326/m23-3417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most prevalent systemic vasculitis in people older than 50 years. Any delay in diagnosis impairs patients' quality of life and can lead to permanent damage, particularly vision loss. OBJECTIVE To evaluate a diagnostic strategy for GCA using color Doppler ultrasound of the temporal artery as a first-line diagnostic test, temporal artery biopsy (TAB) as a secondary test, and physician expertise as the reference method. DESIGN Prospective multicenter study with a 2-year follow-up. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02703922). SETTING Patients were referred by their general practitioner or ophthalmologist to a physician with extensive experience in GCA diagnosis and management in one of the participating centers: 4 general and 2 university hospitals. PATIENTS 165 patients with high clinical suspicion of GCA, aged 79 years (IQR, 73 to 85 years). INTERVENTION The diagnostic procedure was ultrasound, performed less than 7 days after initiation of corticosteroid therapy. Only ultrasound-negative patients underwent TAB. MEASUREMENTS Bilateral temporal halo signs seen on ultrasound were considered positive. Ultrasound and TAB results were compared with physician-diagnosed GCA based on clinical findings and other imaging. RESULTS Diagnosis of GCA was confirmed in 44%, 17%, and 21% of patients by ultrasound, TAB, and clinical expertise and/or other imaging tests, respectively. Their diagnosis remained unchanged at 1 month, and 2 years for those with available follow-up data. An alternative diagnosis was made in 18% of patients. The proportion of ultrasound-positive patients among patients with a clinical GCA diagnosis was 54% (95% CI, 45% to 62%). LIMITATION Small sample size, no blinding of ultrasound and TAB results, lack of an objective gold-standard comparator, and single diagnostic strategy. CONCLUSION By using ultrasound of the temporal arteries as a first-line diagnostic tool in patients with high clinical suspicion of GCA, further diagnostic tests for patients with positive ultrasound were avoided. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Tender "Recherche CH-CHU Poitou-Charentes 2014."
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Denis
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Centre Hospitalier Rochefort, Rochefort, France (G.Denis, C.D.)
| | - Olivier Espitia
- Department of Internal and Vascular Medicine, l'Institut du Thorax, INSERM UMR 1087/CNRS UMR 6291, Nantes; and Team III Vascular & Pulmonary Diseases, Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France (O.E., C.A.-B., A.Raimbeau, G.G.)
| | - Caroline Allix-Béguec
- Department of Clinical Research, Centre Hospitalier La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France (C.A.)
| | - Céline Dieval
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Centre Hospitalier Rochefort, Rochefort, France (G.Denis, C.D.)
| | - Fanny Lorcerie
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Rochefort, Rochefort, France (F.L.)
| | - Bruno Gombert
- Department of Rheumatology, Centre Hospitalier La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France (B.G.)
| | - Xavier Pouget-Abadie
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Centre Hospitalier La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France (X.P.-A.)
| | - Claire Toquet
- Department of Pathology, l'Institut du Thorax, INSERM UMR 1087/CNRS UMR 6291, Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France (C.T.)
| | - Christian Agard
- Department of Internal and Vascular Medicine, l'Institut du Thorax, INSERM UMR 1087/CNRS UMR 6291, Nantes; and Team III Vascular & Pulmonary Diseases, Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France (O.E., C.A.-B., A.Raimbeau, G.G.)
| | - Alizée Raimbeau
- Department of Internal and Vascular Medicine, l'Institut du Thorax, INSERM UMR 1087/CNRS UMR 6291, Nantes; and Team III Vascular & Pulmonary Diseases, Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France (O.E., C.A.-B., A.Raimbeau, G.G.)
| | - Giovanni Gautier
- Department of Internal and Vascular Medicine, l'Institut du Thorax, INSERM UMR 1087/CNRS UMR 6291, Nantes; and Team III Vascular & Pulmonary Diseases, Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France (O.E., C.A.-B., A.Raimbeau, G.G.)
| | | | - Géraldine Durand
- Department of Rheumatology, CHU Poitiers, Poitiers, France (G.Durand)
| | | | - Christian Lormeau
- Department of Rheumatology, Centre Hospitalier Niort, Niort, France (C.Lormeau)
| | - Aurélie Grados
- Department of Internal Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Niort, Niort, France (A.G.)
| | - Anne Grenot-Mercier
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Niort, Niort, France (A.G.-M.)
| | - Rony El-Khoury
- Department of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Niort, Niort, France (R.E.)
| | - Agnès Riche
- Department of Internal Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Angoulême, Angoulême, France (A.Riche)
| | - Florence Hospital
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Angoulême, Angoulême, France (F.H.)
| | - Sebastien Visee
- Department of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Angoulême, Angoulême, France (S.V.)
| | - Marie-Luce Auriault
- Department of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France (M.-L.A.)
| | - Cédric Landron
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHU Poitiers, Poitiers, France (C.Landron)
| | - Mickaël Martin
- Department of Internal Medicine, INSERM U1313, Poitiers University, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France (M.M.)
| | - Christophe Roncato
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Centre Hospitalier La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France (C.R.)
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Dejaco C, Ramiro S, Bond M, Bosch P, Ponte C, Mackie SL, Bley TA, Blockmans D, Brolin S, Bolek EC, Cassie R, Cid MC, Molina-Collada J, Dasgupta B, Nielsen BD, De Miguel E, Direskeneli H, Duftner C, Hočevar A, Molto A, Schäfer VS, Seitz L, Slart RHJA, Schmidt WA. EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging in large vessel vasculitis in clinical practice: 2023 update. Ann Rheum Dis 2024; 83:741-751. [PMID: 37550004 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-224543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To update the EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging modalities in primary large vessel vasculitis (LVV). METHODS A systematic literature review update was performed to retrieve new evidence on ultrasound, MRI, CT and [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) for diagnosis, monitoring and outcome prediction in LVV. The task force consisted of 24 physicians, health professionals and patients from 14 countries. The recommendations were updated based on evidence and expert opinion, iterating until voting indicated consensus. The level of agreement was determined by anonymous votes. RESULTS Three overarching principles and eight recommendations were agreed. Compared to the 2018 version, ultrasound is now recommended as first-line imaging test in all patients with suspected giant cell arteritis, and axillary arteries should be included in the standard examination. As an alternative to ultrasound, cranial and extracranial arteries can be examined by FDG-PET or MRI. For Takayasu arteritis, MRI is the preferred imaging modality; FDG-PET, CT or ultrasound are alternatives. Although imaging is not routinely recommended for follow-up, ultrasound, FDG-PET or MRI may be used for assessing vessel abnormalities in LVV patients with suspected relapse, particularly when laboratory markers of inflammation are unreliable. MR-angiography, CT-angiography or ultrasound may be used for long-term monitoring of structural damage, particularly at sites of preceding vascular inflammation. CONCLUSIONS The 2023 EULAR recommendations provide up-to-date guidance for the role of imaging in the diagnosis and assessment of patients with LVV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Dejaco
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Rheumatology, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsius Medical University, Brunico Hospital (ASAA-SABES), Brunico, Italy
| | - Sofia Ramiro
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Rheumatology, Zuyderland Medical Centre Heerlen, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Milena Bond
- Department of Rheumatology, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsius Medical University, Brunico Hospital (ASAA-SABES), Brunico, Italy
| | - Philipp Bosch
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Cristina Ponte
- Department of Rheumatology, Centro Hospitalar Universitario Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisboa, Portugal
- Rheumatology Research Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sarah Louise Mackie
- Leeds Institute for Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Thorsten A Bley
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Blockmans
- Clinical Department of General Internal Medicine Department, Research Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- General Internal Medicine Department, Universitair Ziekenhuis Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara Brolin
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dermatology and Rheumatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ertugrul Cagri Bolek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Hacettepe Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Maria C Cid
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona. Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Molina-Collada
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bhaskar Dasgupta
- Rheumatology, Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Basildon, UK
- Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK
| | - Berit Dalsgaard Nielsen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Medicine, Regional Hospital Horsens, Horsens, Denmark
| | - Eugenio De Miguel
- Department of Rheumatology, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Haner Direskeneli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Christina Duftner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Division of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alojzija Hočevar
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anna Molto
- Department of Rheumatology, Cochin Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
- INSERM (U1153) Center of Research in Epidemiology and Statistics (CRESS), Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Valentin Sebastian Schäfer
- Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Section Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Luca Seitz
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Riemer H J A Slart
- Medical Imaging Centre, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Photonic Imaging, Universiteit Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Wolfgang A Schmidt
- Department of Rheumatology, Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin, Medical Centre for Rheumatology Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
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De Miguel E, Macchioni P, Conticini E, Campochiaro C, Karalilova R, Monti S, Ponte C, Klinowski G, Monjo-Henry I, Falsetti P, Batalov Z, Tomelleri A, Hocevar A. Prevalence and characteristics of subclinical giant cell arteritis in polymyalgia rheumatica. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2024; 63:158-164. [PMID: 37129541 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study was to analyse the prevalence and characteristics of subclinical GCA in patients with PMR. METHODS This was a cross-sectional multicentre international study of consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PMR without symptoms or signs suggestive of GCA. All patients underwent US of the temporal superficial, common carotid, subclavian and axillary arteries. Patients with halo signs in at least one examined artery were considered to have subclinical GCA. The clinical, demographic and laboratory characteristics of the PMR group without subclinical vasculitis were compared with subclinical GCA, and the pattern of vessel involvement was compared with that of a classical single-centre GCA cohort. RESULTS We included 346 PMR patients, 267 (77.2%) without subclinical GCA and 79 (22.8%) with subclinical GCA. The PMR patients with subclinical GCA were significantly older, had a longer duration of morning stiffness and more frequently reported hip pain than PMR without subclinical GCA. PMR with subclinical GCA showed a predominant extracranial large vessel pattern of vasculitic involvement compared with classical GCA, where the cranial phenotype predominated. The patients with PMR in the classical GCA group showed a pattern of vessel involvement similar to classical GCA without PMR but different from PMR with subclinical involvement. CONCLUSION More than a fifth of the pure PMR patients had US findings consistent with subclinical GCA. This specific subset of patients showed a predilection for extracranial artery involvement. The optimal screening strategy to assess the presence of vasculitis in PMR remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio De Miguel
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Edoardo Conticini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Corrado Campochiaro
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology Department, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Rositsa Karalilova
- Rheumatology Department, Medical University of Plovdiv, University Hospital Kaspela, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Sara Monti
- Department of Rheumatology, IRCCS Policlinico S Matteo Fondazione, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cristina Ponte
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitario Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Giulia Klinowski
- Department of Rheumatology, IRCCS-S.Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Irene Monjo-Henry
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paolo Falsetti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Zguro Batalov
- Rheumatology Department, Medical University of Plovdiv, University Hospital Kaspela, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Alessandro Tomelleri
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology Department, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alojzija Hocevar
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Molina-Collada J, Castrejón I, Monjo-Henry I, Fernández-Fernández E, Torres Ortiz G, Martínez-Barrio J, Álvaro-Gracia JM, de Miguel E. Impact of ultrasound limitation to assess aortitis in patients with giant cell arteritis: comparative study with FDG-PET/CT. RMD Open 2023; 9:e003329. [PMID: 37597848 PMCID: PMC10441063 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of ultrasound (US) intrinsic limitation to assess aortitis versus FDG-PET/CT in patients with US-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) and to identify factors associated with aortic involvement. METHODS Retrospective observational study of patients referred to US fast-track clinics at two academic centres over a 4-year period. Only patients with GCA confirmed by US were included. Temporal arteries (TA) and extracranial arteries US were performed at baseline. FDG-PET/CT was performed according to clinician's criteria. An FDG artery uptake at the aorta higher than liver uptake was considered positive for aortitis. RESULTS Seventy-two of 186 patients with US-proven GCA underwent an FDG-PET/CT; 29 (40.3%) had a positive FDG-PET/CT and 24 (33.3%) presented aortitis. Only 6 (20.7%) patients with positive FDG-PET/CT had negative US findings of large vessel (LV)-GCA. Among patients with aortitis in FDG-PET/CT, only two (8.3%) had negative US findings of LV-GCA. Patients with aortitis were younger (68.9 vs 81;p<0.001), more frequently females (79.2% vs 39.6%;p=0.002) and had higher platelets count (413.4 vs 311.1;p=0014). Patients with aortitis presented positive TA US less frequently (41.7% vs 83.3%;p<0.001), but more LV US involvement (91.7% vs 41.7%; p<0.001) versus patients without aortitis. None of the patients with aortitis exhibited visual symptoms (0% vs 31.2%;p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS FDG-PET/CT can detect aortitis in one out of every three patients with US-proven GCA. However, a negative US examination for LV-GCA suggests a low risk of aortitis. Younger and female GCA patients with thrombocytosis, absence of visual manifestations and LV-GCA on US may more frequently present aortitis by FDG-PET/CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Molina-Collada
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Castrejón
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine. Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Monjo-Henry
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Julia Martínez-Barrio
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - José María Álvaro-Gracia
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine. Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eugenio de Miguel
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
Multimodality cardiovascular imaging is an essential component of the clinical management of patients with large-vessel vasculitis (LVV), a chronic, relapsing and remitting inflammatory disease of the aorta and its major branches. Imaging is needed to confirm the initial diagnosis, to survey the extent and severity of arterial involvement, to screen for cardiovascular complications and for subsequent long-term disease monitoring. Indeed, diagnosing LVV can be challenging due to the non-specific nature of the presenting symptoms, which often evoke a broad differential. Identification of disease flares and persistent residual arteritis following conventional treatments for LVV present additional clinical challenges. However, by identifying and tracking arterial inflammation and injury, multimodality imaging can help direct the use of disease-modifying treatments that suppress inflammation and prevent or slow disease progression. Each of the non-invasive imaging modalities can provide unique and complementary information, contributing to different aspects of the overall clinical assessment. This article provides a focused review of the many roles of multimodality imaging in LVV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M Tarkin
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, University of Cambridge, Heart & Lung Research Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Deepa Gopalan
- Department of Radiology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Radiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
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9
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Ariello LE, de Souza Andrade T, Mello LGM, Oyamada MK, Cunha LP, Monteiro MLR. Simultaneous Unilateral Abducens Nerve Palsy and Contralateral Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy as the Presenting Signs of Giant Cell Arteritis. Neuroophthalmology 2022; 47:88-92. [PMID: 36891402 PMCID: PMC9988330 DOI: 10.1080/01658107.2022.2107686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischaemic optic neuropathy is the most common, feared, and recognised ocular manifestation of giant cell arteritis (GCA), while extraocular muscle palsy rarely occurs in the disease. Overlooking the diagnosis of GCA in aged patients with acquired diplopia and strabismus is not only sight- but also life-threatening. Here, we present, for the first time, a case of unilateral abducens nerve palsy and contralateral anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy as the presenting signs of GCA in a 98-year-old woman. Prompt diagnosis and treatment prevented further visual loss and systemic complications and allowed for rapid resolution of the abducens nerve palsy. We also aim to discuss the possible pathophysiological mechanisms of diplopia in GCA and to emphasise that acquired cranial nerve palsy must raise suspicion of this severe disease in elderly patients, particularly in association with ischaemic optic neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo E. Ariello
- Division of Ophthalmology and the Laboratory of Investigation in Ophthalmology (LIM 33), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thais de Souza Andrade
- Division of Ophthalmology and the Laboratory of Investigation in Ophthalmology (LIM 33), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Guilherme Marchesi Mello
- Division of Ophthalmology and the Laboratory of Investigation in Ophthalmology (LIM 33), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Specialized Medicine, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
| | - Maria Kiyoko Oyamada
- Division of Ophthalmology and the Laboratory of Investigation in Ophthalmology (LIM 33), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Provetti Cunha
- Division of Ophthalmology and the Laboratory of Investigation in Ophthalmology (LIM 33), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
| | - Mário L. R. Monteiro
- Division of Ophthalmology and the Laboratory of Investigation in Ophthalmology (LIM 33), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
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