Usefulness of imaging techniques in the management of giant cell arteritis

Med Clin (Barc). 2019 Jun 21;152(12):495-501. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2018.10.030. Epub 2019 Feb 4.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Imaging has become an essential tool in the management of patients with giant cell arteritis. Cranial involvement detected by Doppler ultrasonography is an unquestionable diagnostic finding. Imaging of the aorta and its branches with positron emission tomography, computed tomography angiography or magnetic resonance imaging may also have a role in diagnosis and in the assessment of disease activity and response to treatment, but standardisation and validation are still needed before their widespread use as an outcome measure. Aortic structural damage is associated with increased mortality in giant cell arteritis; therefore, periodic screening is recommended.

Keywords: Aneurisma aórtico; Aortic aneurysm; Arteritis de células gigantes; Computed tomography angiography; Giant cell arteritis; Imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging; Positron emission tomography; Resonancia magnética con angiografía; Tomografía computarizada con angiografía; Tomografía por emisión de positrones; Técnicas de imagen; Vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aorta / diagnostic imaging
  • Aorta / pathology
  • Biopsy
  • Computed Tomography Angiography
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / diagnostic imaging
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / pathology
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / drug therapy
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / pathology
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Temporal Arteries / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Arteries / pathology
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids