Document Detail


Imaging for large-vessel vasculitis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19077714     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Ultrasonography, MRI, and PET are increasingly studied in large-vessel vasculitis. They have broadened our knowledge on these disorders and have a place in the diagnostic approach of these patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Temporal artery ultrasonography can be used to guide the surgeon to that artery segment with the clearest 'halo' sign to perform a biopsy, or in experienced hands can even replace biopsy. The distal subclavian, axillary, and brachial arteries can also be examined. High-resolution MRI depicts superficial cranial and extracranial involvement patterns in giant cell arteritis (GCA). Contrast enhancement is prominent in active inflammation and decreases under successful steroid therapy. Presence of aortic complications such as aneurysm or dissection can be ruled out within the same investigation. Large thoracic vessel FDG-uptake is seen in the majority of patients with GCA, especially at the subclavian arteries and the aorta. FDG-PET cannot predict which patients are bound to relapse, and once steroids are started, interpretation is hazardous, which makes its role in follow-up uncertain. Increased thoracic aortic FDG-uptake at diagnosis of GCA may be a bad prognostic factor for later aortic dilatation. In patients with isolated polymyalgia rheumatica - who have less intense vascular FDG uptake - symptoms are caused by inflammation around the shoulders, hips, and spine. SUMMARY: Ultrasonography, MRI, and PET remain promising techniques in the scientific and clinical approach of large-vessel vasculitis.
Authors:
Daniel Blockmans; Thorsten Bley; Wolfgang Schmidt
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Current opinion in rheumatology     Volume:  21     ISSN:  1531-6963     ISO Abbreviation:  Curr Opin Rheumatol     Publication Date:  2009 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-12-16     Completed Date:  2009-03-20     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9000851     Medline TA:  Curr Opin Rheumatol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  19-28     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
General Internal Medicine, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. Daniel.Blockmans@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aorta / pathology,  radionuclide imaging,  ultrasonography
Arteries / pathology,  radionuclide imaging*,  ultrasonography*
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / diagnostic use
Giant Cell Arteritis / pathology,  radionuclide imaging,  ultrasonography
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods,  trends
Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*,  trends
Predictive Value of Tests
Ultrasonography / methods*,  trends
Vasculitis / pathology,  radionuclide imaging*,  ultrasonography*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
63503-12-8/Fluorodeoxyglucose F18

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