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Schmidt WA, Schäfer VS. Diagnosing vasculitis with ultrasound: findings and pitfalls. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2024; 16:1759720X241251742. [PMID: 38846756 PMCID: PMC11155338 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x241251742] [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: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Rheumatologists are increasingly utilizing ultrasound for suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA) or Takayasu arteritis (TAK). This enables direct confirmation of a suspected diagnosis within the examination room without further referrals. Rheumatologists can ask additional questions and explain findings to their patients while performing ultrasound, preferably in fast-track clinics to prevent vision loss. Vascular ultrasound for suspected vasculitis was recently integrated into rheumatology training in Germany. New European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology recommendations prioritize ultrasound as the first imaging tool for suspected GCA and recommend it as an imaging option for suspected TAK alongside magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and computed tomography. Ultrasound is integral to the new classification criteria for GCA and TAK. Diagnosis is based on consistent clinical and ultrasound findings. Inconclusive cases require histology or additional imaging tests. Robust evidence establishes high sensitivities and specificities for ultrasound. Reliability is good among experts. Ultrasound reveals a characteristic non-compressible 'halo sign' indicating intima-media thickening (IMT) and, in acute disease, artery wall oedema. Ultrasound can further identify stenoses, occlusions and aneurysms, and IMT can be measured. In suspected GCA, ultrasound should include at least the temporal and axillary arteries bilaterally. Nearly all other arteries are accessible except the descending thoracic aorta. TAK mostly involves the common carotid and subclavian arteries. Ultrasound detects subclinical GCA in over 20% of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patients without GCA symptoms. Patients with silent GCA should be treated as GCA because they experience more relapses and require higher glucocorticoid doses than PMR patients without GCA. Scores based on intima-thickness (IMT) of temporal and axillary arteries aid follow-up of GCA, particularly in trials. The IMT decreases more rapidly in temporal than in axillary arteries. Ascending aorta ultrasound helps monitor patients with extracranial GCA for the development of aneurysms. Experienced sonologists can easily identify pitfalls, which will be addressed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang A. Schmidt
- Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin, Medical Centre for Rheumatology Berlin-Buch, Lindenberger Weg 19, Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Valentin S. Schäfer
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Clinic of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
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Bosch P, Espigol-Frigolé G, Cid MC, Mollan SP, Schmidt WA. Cranial involvement in giant cell arteritis. THE LANCET. RHEUMATOLOGY 2024; 6:e384-e396. [PMID: 38574747 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(24)00024-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Since its first clinical description in 1890, extensive research has advanced our understanding of giant cell arteritis, leading to improvements in both diagnosis and management for affected patients. Imaging studies have shown that the disease frequently extends beyond the typical cranial arteries, also affecting large vessels such as the aorta and its proximal branches. Meanwhile, advances in comprehending the underlying pathophysiology of giant cell arteritis have given rise to numerous potential therapeutic agents, which aim to minimise the need for glucocorticoid treatment and prevent flares. Classification criteria for giant cell arteritis, as well as recommendations for management, imaging, and treat-to-target have been developed or updated in the last 5 years, and current research encompasses a broad spectrum covering basic, translational, and clinical research. In this Series paper, we aim to discuss the current understanding of giant cell arteritis with cranial manifestations, describe the clinical approach to this condition, and explore future directions in research and patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Bosch
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Georgina Espigol-Frigolé
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Insitut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria C Cid
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Insitut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susan P Mollan
- Birmingham Neuro-Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK; Translational Brain Science, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Wolfgang A Schmidt
- Department of Rheumatology, Immanuel Hospital Berlin, Medical Centre for Rheumatology Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
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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: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [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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Nielsen BD, Therkildsen P, Keller KK, Gormsen LC, Hansen IT, Hauge EM. Ultrasonography in the assessment of disease activity in cranial and large-vessel giant cell arteritis: a prospective follow-up study. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:3084-3094. [PMID: 36651670 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We evaluated sensitivity to change and discriminative abilities of vascular US scores in disease monitoring in the follow-up of a prospective cohort of new-onset cranial and large-vessel (LV) GCA patients. METHODS Baseline and follow-up (8 weeks, 24 weeks and 15 months) US of temporal arteries (TA), carotid and axillary arteries (LV) included assessment of halo and measurement of the intima media complex (IMC). Max IMC, max halo IMC, sum IMC, sum halo IMC, mean IMC, halo count and the Southend halo score were calculated. The provisional OMERACT US score, OGUS, was obtained, taking the average of temporal arteries and axillary arteries IMCs divided by their normal cut-off values. RESULTS Baseline US was positive in 44/47 patients (72% TA, 72% LV). Sensitivity to change of all composite US scores containing TAs was evident by week 8 onward. LVs responded poorly and new axillary US lesions emerged in six patients despite clinical remission. The OGUS showed a large magnitude of change and is considered the score least prone to potential bias. All TA-based US scores showed moderate-strong correlation with disease activity markers. OGUS, TA halo count, Southend TA halo score, TA sum IMC and TA mean IMC showed potential to discriminate remission and relapse with area under the curve ≥0.8. CONCLUSIONS The OGUS is suggested as an outcome measurement for the assessment of treatment response in clinical trials. The abilities of US scores to discriminate remission and relapse are encouraging and should be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Dalsgaard Nielsen
- Department of Medicine, The Regional Hospital in Horsens, Horsens, Denmark
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Philip Therkildsen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kresten K Keller
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lars C Gormsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ib T Hansen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ellen-Margrethe Hauge
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Dejaco C, Ponte C, Monti S, Rozza D, Scirè CA, Terslev L, Bruyn GAW, Boumans D, Hartung W, Hočevar A, Milchert M, Døhn UM, Mukhtyar CB, Aschwanden M, Bosch P, Camellino D, Chrysidis S, Ciancio G, D'Agostino MA, Daikeler T, Dasgupta B, De Miguel E, Diamantopoulos AP, Duftner C, Agueda A, Fredberg U, Hanova P, Hansen IT, Hauge EM, Iagnocco A, Inanc N, Juche A, Karalilova R, Kawamoto T, Keller KK, Keen HI, Kermani TA, Kohler MJ, Koster M, Luqmani RA, Macchioni P, Mackie SL, Naredo E, Nielsen BD, Ogasawara M, Pineda C, Schäfer VS, Seitz L, Tomelleri A, Torralba KD, van der Geest KSM, Warrington KJ, Schmidt WA. The provisional OMERACT ultrasonography score for giant cell arteritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2023; 82:556-564. [PMID: 36600183 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2022-223367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To develop an Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) ultrasonography score for monitoring disease activity in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and evaluate its metric properties. METHODS The OMERACT Instrument Selection Algorithm was followed. Forty-nine members of the OMERACT ultrasonography large vessel vasculitis working group were invited to seven Delphi rounds. An online reliability exercise was conducted using images of bilateral common temporal arteries, parietal and frontal branches as well as axillary arteries from 16 patients with GCA and 7 controls. Sensitivity to change and convergent construct validity were tested using data from a prospective cohort of patients with new GCA in which ultrasound-based intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements were conducted at weeks 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24. RESULTS Agreement was obtained (92.7%) for the OMERACT GCA Ultrasonography Score (OGUS), calculated as follows: sum of IMT measured in every segment divided by the rounded cut-off values of IMTs in each segment. The resulting value is then divided by the number of segments available. Thirty-five members conducted the reliability exercise, the interrater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the OGUS was 0.72-0.84 and the median intrareader ICC was 0.91. The prospective cohort consisted of 52 patients. Sensitivity to change between baseline and each follow-up visit up to week 24 yielded standardised mean differences from -1.19 to -2.16, corresponding to large and very large magnitudes of change, respectively. OGUS correlated moderately with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C reactive protein and Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (corrcoeff 0.37-0.48). CONCLUSION We developed a provisional OGUS for potential use in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Dejaco
- Department of Rheumatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Steiermark, Austria
- Department of Rheumatology, Brunico Hospital, Brunico, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
| | - Cristina Ponte
- Department of Rheumatology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Rheumatology Research Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Monti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | - Lene Terslev
- Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Clinical Medicine, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Dennis Boumans
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Hospital Group Twente, Almelo, The Netherlands
| | | | - Alojzija Hočevar
- Department of Rheumatology, Universitiy Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marcin Milchert
- Department of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Clinical Immunology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Uffe Møller Døhn
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Chetan B Mukhtyar
- Vasculitis Service, Rheumatology Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, Norwich, UK
| | | | - Philipp Bosch
- Department of Rheumatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Steiermark, Austria
| | - Dario Camellino
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Sanitaria Locale 3 Genovese, Arenzano, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Ciancio
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Thomas Daikeler
- Clinic for Rheumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bhaskar Dasgupta
- Mid and South Essex University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Southend University Hospital, Westcliff-on-Sea, UK
| | | | - Andreas P Diamantopoulos
- Section of Rheumatology, Division of Internal Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - Christina Duftner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Division of Internal Medicine II, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ana Agueda
- Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga E.P.E, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ulrich Fredberg
- Diagnostic Centre, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Silkeborg, Denmark
- Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Petra Hanova
- Rheumatology, Institute of Rheumatology, Prague, Czech Republic
- Rheumatology, Hána CB spol. s r.o, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ib Tønder Hansen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus Copenhagen Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ellen-Margrethe Hauge
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Annamaria Iagnocco
- Academic Rheumatology Center, Dipartimento Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Nevsun Inanc
- Rheumatology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aaron Juche
- Department of Rheumatology, Immanuel Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Toshio Kawamoto
- Immunology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kresten Krarup Keller
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Tanaz A Kermani
- Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Minna J Kohler
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew Koster
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Raashid Ahmed Luqmani
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedicx, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science (NDORMs), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Esperanza Naredo
- Department of Rheumatology and Bone and Joint Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, IIS Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Berit Dalsgaard Nielsen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Medicine, Regional Hospital Horsens, Horsens, Denmark
| | - Michihiro Ogasawara
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Carlos Pineda
- Division of Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitacion Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Luca Seitz
- Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Tomelleri
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Karina D Torralba
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Kornelis S M van der Geest
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kenneth J Warrington
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wolfgang A Schmidt
- Rheumatology, Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin, Medical Centre for Rheumatology Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
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Schmidt WA. Vascular ultrasound in rheumatology practice. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2023; 37:101847. [PMID: 37419758 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2023.101847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatologists are increasingly using vascular ultrasound. Several guidelines now recommend ultrasound as the first diagnostic modality in giant cell arteritis (GCA). The German curriculum for rheumatology training has recently included ultrasound for the acute diagnosis of vasculitis. Recent studies have shown that ultrasound of temporal, axillary, subclavian, and vertebral arteries has sensitivities and specificities of >90%. Vascular ultrasound detects subclinical GCA in approximately 20% of patients with "pure" polymyalgia rheumatica. GCA fast-track clinics might regularly include these patients. A new score based on the intima-media thickness of the temporal and axillary arteries allows the monitoring of structural changes with treatment. The score decreases faster for the temporal arteries than it does for the axillary arteries. Measuring the diameter of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch might become a fast and cost-effective tool for the long-term monitoring of aortic aneurysms in extracranial GCA. Vascular ultrasound also has a role for Takayasu arteritis, thrombosis, Behçet's syndrome, and Raynaud's phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang A Schmidt
- Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin, Medical Center for Rheumatology Berlin-Buch, Lindenberger Weg 19, 13125 Berlin, Germany.
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7
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Burg LC, Karakostas P, Behning C, Brossart P, Kermani TA, Schäfer VS. Prevalence and characteristics of giant cell arteritis in patients with newly diagnosed polymyalgia rheumatica - a prospective cohort study. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2023; 15:1759720X221149963. [PMID: 36777696 PMCID: PMC9909075 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x221149963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background It is known that giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) often occur together. So far, the prevalence of GCA in newly diagnosed PMR patients has not been evaluated in a prospective ultrasound study. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of GCA using vascular ultrasound in patients with newly diagnosed PMR. Design A consecutive cohort of newly diagnosed PMR patients was prospectively evaluated for the presence of GCA with the use of systematic musculoskeletal and vascular ultrasound examination. Methods Overall, 60 patients with newly diagnosed PMR were prospectively enrolled. Symptoms and laboratory findings were collected. All patients underwent ultrasound of shoulder and hip joints, and vascular ultrasound evaluating the facial, temporal, carotid, vertebral and axillary arteries. Patients were diagnosed with GCA if they had ultrasound imaging findings of GCA. Patients with PMR (PMR-group) and patients with PMR and GCA (PMR-GCA-group) were compared, and a C-reactive protein (CRP) cut-off value was evaluated. Results GCA was diagnosed in 28 of 60 PMR patients (46%). The PMR-group consisted of 20 (62.5%) females with a mean age of 69 (±9.9) years, while the PMR-GCA-group consisted of 11 (39.3%) females with a mean age of 74 (±8.4) years. In 13 of 28 patients (46%) in the PMR-GCA-group, GCA was subclinical and only diagnosed by ultrasound. The PMR-GCA-group showed higher values of joint effusion and significantly higher CRP values. A CRP cut-off value of 26.5 mg/litre (reference range 0-5 mg/litre) yielded a sensitivity of 66% with a specificity of 73% for GCA. Conclusion GCA was found in 46% of newly diagnosed PMR patients; 22% of the patients with PMR had asymptomatic GCA. Joint effusions were higher in the PMR-GCA-group, with significant results for the hip joint. A CRP cut-off value of ⩾26.5 mg/litre in PMR can help in the identification of subclinical GCA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pantelis Karakostas
- Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Department of Oncology, Haematology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Charlotte Behning
- Institute of Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Brossart
- Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Department of Oncology, Haematology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tanaz A. Kermani
- Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Valentin S. Schäfer
- Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Department of Oncology, Haematology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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8
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Monti S, Schäfer VS, Muratore F, Salvarani C, Montecucco C, Luqmani R. Updates on the diagnosis and monitoring of giant cell arteritis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1125141. [PMID: 36910481 PMCID: PMC9995793 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1125141] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This mini-review offers a critical appraisal of the currently employed imaging or histopathological tools to diagnose and monitor giant cell arteritis (GCA). An overview of the most updated evidence and current application of color duplex ultrasonography (US), temporal artery biopsy (TAB), 18-fluorodeoxyglucose [18F] FDG-PET/CT, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography angiography is provided. The main limitations of each tool, and the most relevant research developments are discussed. The review highlights the complementary value of the available modalities to ensure a correct diagnosis of GCA, and to provide valuable prognostic information. Novel evidence is accumulating to support the role of imaging, and particularly US, as a monitoring tool for the disease, opening new perspectives for the future management of large vessel vasculitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Monti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Valentin Sebastian Schäfer
- Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Francesco Muratore
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Carlo Salvarani
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Carlomaurizio Montecucco
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Raashid Luqmani
- Rheumatology Department, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Conticini E, Falsetti P, Baldi C, Fabiani C, Cantarini L, Frediani B. Routine color doppler ultrasonography for the early diagnosis of cranial giant cell arteritis relapses. Intern Emerg Med 2022; 17:2431-2435. [PMID: 36156190 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-03110-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Conticini
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Falsetti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Caterina Baldi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Claudia Fabiani
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Ophthalmology Unit, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Cantarini
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Bruno Frediani
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
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Bosch P, Dejaco C, Schmidt W, Schlüter K, Pregartner G, Schäfer VS. Association of ultrasound-confirmed axillary artery vasculitis and clinical outcomes in giant cell arteritis. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2022; 56:152051. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2022.152051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Schäfer VS, Chrysidis S, Schmidt WA, Duftner C, Iagnocco A, Bruyn GA, Carrara G, De Miguel E, Diamantopoulos AP, Nielsen BD, Fredberg U, Hartung W, Hanova P, Hansen IT, Hocevar A, Juche A, Kermani TA, Lorenzen T, Macchioni P, Milchert M, Døhn UM, Mukhtyar C, Monti S, Ponte C, Seitz L, Scirè CA, Terslev L, Dasgupta B, Keen HI, Pineda C, Dejaco C. OMERACT definition and reliability assessment of chronic ultrasound lesions of the axillary artery in giant cell arteritis. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2021; 51:951-956. [PMID: 34140184 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2021.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To define chronic ultrasound lesions of the axillary artery (AA) in long-standing giant cell arteritis (GCA) and to evaluate the reliability of the new ultrasound definition in a web-based exercise. METHODS A structured Delphi, involving an expert panel of the Large Vessel Vasculitis subgroup of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Ultrasound Working Group was carried out. The reliability of the new definition was tested in a 2-round web-based exercise involving 23 experts and using 50 still images each from AA of long-standing and acute GCA patients, as well as 50 images from healthy individuals. RESULTS The final OMERACT ultrasound definition of chronic changes was based on measurement and appearance of the intima-media complex. The overall reliability of the new definition for chronic ultrasound changes in longstanding GCA of the AA was good to excellent with Light's kappa values of 0.79-0.80 for inter-reader reliability and mean Light's-kappa of 0.88 for intra-reader reliability. The mean inter-rater and intra-rater agreements were 86-87% and 92%, respectively. Good reliabilities were observed comparing the vessels with longstanding versus acute GCA with a mean agreement and kappa values of 81% and 0.63, respectively. CONCLUSION The new OMERACT ultrasound definition for chronic vasculitis of the AA in GCA revealed a good to excellent inter- and intra-reader reliability in a web-based exercise of experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Sebastian Schäfer
- Clinic for Internal Medicine III, Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany.
| | | | - Wolfgang A Schmidt
- Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin, Medical Centre for Rheumatology Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christina Duftner
- Department of Internal Medicine VI, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Annamaria Iagnocco
- Academic Rheumatology Centre, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - George A Bruyn
- Department of Rheumatology, MC Hospital Group, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Greta Carrara
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Italian Society for Rheumatology, Milano, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Ulrich Fredberg
- Diagnostic Centre, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Silkeborg, Denmark; Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Wolfgang Hartung
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Asklepios Medical Center, 93077 Bad Abbach, Germany
| | - Petra Hanova
- Department of Rheumatology, Institute of Rheumatology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ib Tønder Hansen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Alojzija Hocevar
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana; Slovenian Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aaron Juche
- Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin, Medical Centre for Rheumatology Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tanaz A Kermani
- Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; David Geffen School of Medicine, California, USA
| | - Tove Lorenzen
- Department of Rheumatology, Silkeborg Hospital, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Pierluigi Macchioni
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Specialistic Medicine, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Marcin Milchert
- Department of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Clinical Immunology of Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland
| | | | - Chetan Mukhtyar
- Department of Rheumatology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK
| | - Sara Monti
- Rheumatology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cristina Ponte
- Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Norte, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa
| | - Luca Seitz
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, University of Bern, Inselspital, Switzerland
| | - Carlo A Scirè
- UOC e Sezione di Reumatologia - Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Società Italiana di Reumatologia, Unità Epidemiologica, Milan, Italy
| | - Lene Terslev
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Bhaskar Dasgupta
- Rheumatology, Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Essex, UK
| | | | - Carlos Pineda
- Division of Musculoskeletal and Rheumatic Diseases, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitacion, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Christian Dejaco
- Department of Rheumatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz; Austria and Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of Bruneck, Bruneck, Italy
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