Document Detail


Use of ultrasonography and positron emission tomography in the diagnosis and assessment of large-vessel vasculitis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15604899     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Ultrasonography and positron emission tomography have been increasingly studied and, in part, introduced in clinical practice to diagnose large-vessel vasculitides, such as temporal arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, large-vessel giant cell arteritis, and isolated aortitis. RECENT FINDINGS: Ultrasonography reveals characteristic homogenous, concentric wall thickening in vasculitis, often combined with stenoses and, less frequently, with acute occlusions. Thirteen studies describe sensitivities of 40 to 100% (median, 86%) for temporal artery vessel wall edema compared with histology, and of 35 to 86% (median, 70%) compared with clinical diagnosis. If wall edema, stenoses, and occlusions are included, sensitivities increase to 91 to 100% (median, 95%) compared with histology, and to 83 to 100% (median, 88%) compared with clinical diagnosis. Specificities for wall edema are 68 to 100% (median, 93%) compared with histology, and 78 to 100% (median, 97%) compared with clinical diagnosis. One should be aware of large-vessel giant cell arteritis in all patients with temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. Ultrasonography reveals characteristic wall thickening, particularly of the distal subclavian, axillary, and proximal brachial arteries. Findings in Takayasu arteritis are similar, but the vessel wall swelling is usually brighter. Positron emission tomography reveals vasculitis in arteries with a diameter of more than 4 mm. Ultrasonography and positron emission tomography agreed completely in the anatomic distribution of changes in patients with large-vessel giant cell arteritis. It reveals asymptomatic large-vessel vasculitis in giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis. Positron emission tomography is not suitable for the assessment of temporal arteries. SUMMARY: Ultrasonography and positron emission tomography are new, promising techniques to assess large-vessel vasculitides.
Authors:
Wolfgang A Schmidt; Daniel Blockmans
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Current opinion in rheumatology     Volume:  17     ISSN:  1040-8711     ISO Abbreviation:  Curr Opin Rheumatol     Publication Date:  2005 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2004-12-17     Completed Date:  2005-03-29     Revised Date:  2007-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9000851     Medline TA:  Curr Opin Rheumatol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  9-15     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Medical Center for Rheumatology Berlin-Buch, Germany. w.schmidt@immanuel.de
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aortitis / diagnosis
Arteries / pathology*
Giant Cell Arteritis / diagnosis
Humans
Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Takayasu Arteritis / diagnosis
Ultrasonography / methods*
Vasculitis / diagnosis*

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