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Aortic involvement in giant cell arteritis: Current data.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21030278     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Aortitis due to giant cell arteritis (GCA) is rare but probably underestimated given the frequent paucity of symptoms. Thus, early studies relied on the occurrence of complications to estimate the prevalence of GCA aortitis. With this method, aortitis was a feature in 3 to 18% of GCA patients. Since then, the introduction of modern imaging techniques has established that aortitis is more common than previously thought. Aortitis should be considered in patients with atypical clinical presentations of GCA consisting, for instance, in isolated laboratory evidence of systemic inflammation or a relapse during treatment. Aortitis may be difficult to diagnose, as temporal artery biopsy has limited sensitivity in patients with predominant large-vessel involvement. Positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are both highly effective for the early diagnosis of aortitis. Case-series evaluating PET in patients with GCA found evidence of aortitis in over half the cases, with predominant involvement of the thoracic aorta. To date, no evidence is available about the potential usefulness of PET or MRI in monitoring patients with GCA aortitis over time. Involvement of the aorta and other large arteries does not change the treatment strategy, which rests on corticosteroid therapy. Administration of a corticosteroid-sparing drug should be considered, most notably when a relapse occurs. Aortitis is associated with an increased risk of aneurysm of the thoracic aorta. Consequently, all GCA patients should be monitored for aneurysm at regular intervals, even after treatment discontinuation. The recommended strategy is an annual evaluation including a chest radiograph, echocardiogram, and abdominal Doppler sonogram; these imaging studies can be replaced by contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest and abdomen.
Authors:
Marie Bossert; Clément Prati; Jean-Charles Balblanc; Anne Lohse; Daniel Wendling
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2010-10-27
Journal Detail:
Title:  Joint, bone, spine : revue du rhumatisme     Volume:  78     ISSN:  1778-7254     ISO Abbreviation:  Joint Bone Spine     Publication Date:  2011 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-05-06     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100938016     Medline TA:  Joint Bone Spine     Country:  France    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  246-51     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2010 Société française de rhumatologie. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
UPRES EA 4266, service de rhumatologie, CHU Minjoz, université de Franche-Comté, boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besançon, France; Service de rhumatologie, CHU de Belfort, rue de Mulhouse, 90000 Belfort, France.
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