| 1. Muratore F, Kermani TA, Crowson CS, et al. Large-vessel giant cell arteritis: a cohort study. Rheumatology (Oxford). 54(3):463-70, 2015 Mar. |
Observational-Dx |
332 patients |
To compare baseline variables, treatment and outcomes in patients with large-vessel GCA (LV-GCA), primarily of the upper extremities, with those with cranial disease (C-GCA). |
The study included 120 LV-GCA patients and 212 C-GCA patients. Compared with C-GCA, patients with LV-GCA were younger [68.2 years (S.D. 7.5) vs 75.7 (7.4), P<0.001] and had longer duration of symptoms at GCA diagnosis (median 3.5 vs 2.2 months, P<0.001). A history of PMR was more common in LV-GCA patients (26% vs 15%, P = 0.012), but a smaller proportion had cranial symptoms (41% vs 83%, P<0.001) and vision loss (4% vs 11%, P = 0.035). ACR classification criteria for GCA were satisfied in 39% of LV-GCA patients and 95% of C-GCA patients (P<0.001). Compared with C-GCA, patients with LV-GCA had more relapses (4.9 vs 3.0/10 person-years, P<0.001), higher cumulative corticosteroid (CS) doses at 1 year [11.4 g (S.D. 5.9) vs 9.1 (S.D. 3.7), P<0.001] and required longer treatment (median 4.5 vs 2.2 years, P<0.001). |
2 |
| 2. Koster MJ, Matteson EL, Warrington KJ. Large-vessel giant cell arteritis: diagnosis, monitoring and management. [Review]. Rheumatology (Oxford). 57(suppl_2):ii32-ii42, 2018 02 01. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To discuss the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of large-vessel giant cell arteritis (LV-GCA). |
No results stated in abstract. |
4 |
| 3. Stone JH, Tuckwell K, Dimonaco S, et al. Trial of Tocilizumab in Giant-Cell Arteritis. N Engl J Med. 377(4):317-328, 2017 07 27. |
Experimental-Dx |
251 patients |
To investigate whether tocilizumab resulted in higher rates of sustained glucocorticoid-free remission of giantcell arteritis than placebo through a period of 52 weeks. |
Sustained remission at week 52 occurred in 56% of the patients treated with tocilizumab weekly and in 53% of those treated with tocilizumab every other week, as compared with 14% of those in the placebo group that underwent the 26-week prednisone taper and 18% of those in the placebo group that underwent the 52-weekprednisone taper (P<0.001 for the comparisons of either active treatment with placebo). The cumulative median prednisone dose over the 52-week period was 1862 mg in each tocilizumab group, as compared with 3296 mg in the placebo group that underwent the 26-week taper (P<0.001 for both comparisons) and 3818 mg in the placebo group that underwent the 52-week taper (P<0.001 for both comparisons). Serious adverse events occurred in 15% of the patients in the group that received tocilizumab weekly, 14% of those in the group that received tocilizumab every other week, 22% of those in the placebo group that underwent the 26-week taper, and 25% of those in the placebo group that underwent the 52-week taper. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy developed in one patient in the group that received tocilizumab every other week. |
1 |
| 4. Weyand CM, Goronzy JJ. Clinical practice. Giant-cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. N Engl J Med 2014;371:50-7. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To discuss the evaluation, management, and treatment of giant-cell arteritis. |
No results stated in abstract |
4 |
| 5. Kim ESH, Beckman J. Takayasu arteritis: challenges in diagnosis and management. [Review]. Heart. 104(7):558-565, 2018 04. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To discuss the gaps in diagnosis and management of these complex patient with Takayasu arteritis (TA). |
No results stated in abstract. |
4 |
| 6. Broncano J, Vargas D, Bhalla S, Cummings KW, Raptis CA, Luna A. CT and MR Imaging of Cardiothoracic Vasculitis. [Review]. Radiographics. 38(4):997-1021, 2018 Jul-Aug.Radiographics. 38(4):997-1021, 2018 Jul-Aug. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To review the pathophysiologic, clinical, and imaging findings of vasculitis and other systemic diseases with a vasculitic component involving the heart. |
No results stated in abstract. |
4 |
| 7. Newburger JW, Takahashi M, Burns JC. Kawasaki Disease. [Review]. J Am Coll Cardiol. 67(14):1738-49, 2016 Apr 12. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To discuss the evaluation and treatment of kawasaki disease. |
No results stated in abstract. |
4 |
| 8. Murphy DJ, Aghayev A, Steigner ML. Vascular CT and MRI: a practical guide to imaging protocols. Insights Imaging 2018;9:215-36. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To provide the rationale behind—and a practical guide to—designing and implementing straightforward vascular computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols. |
No results stated in abstract. |
4 |
| 9. Jiemy WF, Heeringa P, Kamps JAAM, van der Laken CJ, Slart RHJA, Brouwer E. Positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging of macrophages in large vessel vasculitis: Current status and future prospects. [Review]. Autoimmun Rev. 17(7):715-726, 2018 Jul. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To summarize the development of macrophage targeted tracers in the last decade and the potential application of macrophage targeted tracers currently used in other inflammatory diseases in imaging LVV. |
No results stated in abstract. |
4 |
| 10. Martinez-Rodriguez I, Martinez-Amador N, Banzo I, et al. Assessment of aortitis by semiquantitative analysis of 180-min 18F-FDG PET/CT acquisition images. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 41(12):2319-24, 2014 Dec. |
Observational-Dx |
43 patients |
To evaluate the contribution of semiquantitative analysis of 180-min (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT images for the assessment of aortitis in cases of suspected large vessel vasculitis (LVV) and to establish a threshold index for application in the clinical setting. |
The mean aortic wall SUVmax was 2.00 ± 0.62 for patients with aortitis and 1.45 ± 0.31 for patients without aortitis (p < 0.0001). The TBR was 1.66 ± 0.26 for patients with aortitis and 1.24 ± 0.08 for patients without aortitis (p < 0.0001). The differences were also statistically significant when the patients with aortitis and controls were compared. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that the area under the curve was greater for the TBR than for the aortic wall SUVmax (0.997 vs 0.871). The highest sensitivity and specificity was obtained for a TBR of 1.34 (sensitivity 100%, specificity 94.4%). |
3 |
| 11. Rosenblum JS, Quinn KA, Rimland CA, Mehta NN, Ahlman MA, Grayson PC. Clinical Factors Associated with Time-Specific Distribution of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose in Large-Vessel Vasculitis. Sci Rep 2019;9:15180. |
Observational-Dx |
69 patients |
To to assess the utility of FDG-PET in large-vessel vasculitis (LVV). |
A total of 69 patients (TAK = 31 patients; GCA = 38 patients) were recruited into the study. A total of 141 paired one-hour and two-hour FDG-PET scans were included (TAK = 51 studies; GCA = 90 studies). Baseline demographics of the study population are shown in Table 1. Patients with TAK were notably younger than patients with GCA (35.6 vs 68.4 years, p < 0.01), consistent with expected demographic differences between these diseases. |
1 |
| 12. Bucerius J, Mani V, Moncrieff C, et al. Optimizing 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging of vessel wall inflammation: the impact of 18F-FDG circulation time, injected dose, uptake parameters, and fasting blood glucose levels. European Journal of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging. 41(2):369-83, 2014 Feb. |
Observational-Dx |
195 patients |
To address the impact of the above methodological variables on in a large, prospectively imaged study population of patients with established or suspected cardiovascular disease. |
Tertile analyses revealed FDG circulation times of about 2.5 h and prescan glucose levels of less than 7.0 mmol/l showing favorable relations between the arterial and blood pool FDG uptake. FDG circulation times showed negative associations with the aortic meanSUVmax values as well as SVC- and JV FDG blood pool activity but a positive correlation with the aorticand carotid meanTBRmax values. Pre-scan glucose was negatively associated with aortic- andcarotid meanTBRmax and carotid meanSUVmax values, but correlated positively with the SVC blood pool uptake. Injected FDG dose failed to show any significant association with the vascular FDG uptake. |
2 |
| 13. Pelletier-Galarneau M, Ruddy TD. PET/CT for Diagnosis and Management of Large-Vessel Vasculitis. Curr Cardiol Rep 2019;21:34. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To discuss the use of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET/CT) for diagnosis and management of patients with large-vessel vasculitis (LVV). |
Incidence of LVV is likely underestimated, in part due to its non-specific symptoms. Nevertheless, early diagnosis of LVV is essential to initiate timely therapy in order to prevent vascular complications, such as stenoses and aneurysms. FDG PET/CT imaging has the ability to detect LVV during the acute phase, prior to edema and other vascular structural changes, with its high sensitivity for inflammatory activity. FDG PET/CT was shown to be a powerful prognostic marker by allowing identification of patients at risk of vascular complications. Additionally, preliminary data support the use of FDG PET/CT to follow therapy efficacy. FDG PET/CT allows early detection of inflammation, before morphological and irreversible vascular changes can be observed, allowing prompt diagnosis and treatment of LVV. |
4 |
| 14. Sammel AM, Hsiao E, Schembri G, et al. Diagnostic Accuracy of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography of the Head, Neck, and Chest for Giant Cell Arteritis: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Cross-Sectional Study. Arthritis Rheumatol 2019;71:1319-28. |
Observational-Dx |
64 patients |
To assess the accuracy of a newer generation PET/CT of the head, neck, and chest for determining a diagnosis of GCA. |
In total, 58 of 64 patients underwent TAB, and 12 (21%) of the biopsies were considered positive for GCA. Twenty-one patients had a clinical diagnosis of GCA. Compared to TAB, the sensitivity of PET/CT for a diagnosis of GCA was 92% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 62-100%) and specificity was 85% (95% CI 71-94%). The negative predictive value (NPV) was 98% (95% CI 87-100%). Compared to clinical diagnosis, PET/CT had a sensitivity of 71% (95% CI 48-89%) and specificity of 91% (95% CI 78-97%). Interobserver reliability was moderate (? = 0.65). Among the enrolled patients, 20% had a clinically relevant incidental finding, including 7 with an infection and 5 with a malignancy. Furthermore, 5 (42%) of 12 TAB-positive GCA patients had moderate or marked aortitis. |
2 |
| 15. Nielsen BD, Hansen IT, Kramer S, et al. Simple dichotomous assessment of cranial artery inflammation by conventional 18F-FDG PET/CT shows high accuracy for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis: a case-control study. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 46(1):184-193, 2019 01. |
Observational-Dx |
88 patients |
To estimate the diagnostic accuracy of conventional 18F-FDG PET/CT of cranial arteries in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA). |
A total of 44 patients and 44 controls were identified. In both groups, the mean age was 69 years (p = 0.45) and 25/44 were women. 35/41 GCA patients were temporal artery biopsy positive (TAB). Considering only FDG uptake in TA and/or MA, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 64 and 100%. Including VA, sensitivity increased to 82% and specificity remained 100%. Interreader agreement was 91% and Fleiss kappa 0.82 for the PET diagnosis based on the cranial arteries. |
3 |
| 16. Guggenberger KV, Bley TA. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography in large-vessel vasculitides. [Review]. Clinical & Experimental Rheumatology. 36 Suppl 114(5):103-107, 2018 Sep-Oct.Clin Exp Rheumatol. 36 Suppl 114(5):103-107, 2018 Sep-Oct. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To outline the significance at this time of magnetic resonance imaging/angiography (MRI/MRA) in diagnosis and therapy monitoring of large-vessel vasculitides (LVV). |
No results stated in abstract. |
4 |
| 17. Treitl KM, Maurus S, Sommer NN, et al. 3D-black-blood 3T-MRI for the diagnosis of thoracic large vessel vasculitis: A feasibility study. Eur Radiol. 27(5):2119-2128, 2017 May. |
Observational-Dx |
70 patients |
To evaluate the feasibility of T1w-3D black-blood turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence with variable flip angles for the diagnosis of thoracic large vessel vasculitis (LVV). |
IQ was good in all examinations (3.25 ± 0.72) and good to excellent in 342 of 408 evaluated segments (83.8 %), while 84.1 % showed no or minor flow artefacts. The interobserver reproducibility for the identification of CCE and CWT was 0.969 and 0.971 (p < 0.001) with an average diagnostic confidence of 3.47 ± 0.64. CCE and CWT were strongly correlated (Cohen's k = 0.87; P < 0.001) and significantly more frequent in the LVV-group (52.8 % vs. 1.0 %; 59.8 % vs. 2.4 %; P < 0.001). |
1 |
| 18. Liu M, Liu W, Li H, Shu X, Tao X, Zhai Z. Evaluation of takayasu arteritis with delayed contrast-enhanced MR imaging by a free-breathing 3D IR turbo FLASH. Medicine (Baltimore). 96(51):e9284, 2017 Dec. |
Observational-Dx |
54 Patients
|
To observe delayed contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) in comparison with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). |
DCE-MRI was acquired with a free-breathing three-dimensional inversion recovery Turbo fast low-angle shot (3D IR Turbo FLASH). Neither stenosis nor delayed enhancement of arterial wall was shown in the control group. In patients with stable TA, arterial stenosis was observed on MRA. On DCE-MR, delayed enhancement of arterial walls could be observed in the active TA group but not in the stable TA group or the control group. Stenotic arteries on MRA were comparable in the active TA and stable TA (??=?2.70, P?=?.259); however, delayed enhancement of arterial walls in the active-TA group were more than those in the stable group (??=?27.00, P?<?.001). |
2 |
| 19. Marinelli KC, Ahlman MA, Quinn KA, Malayeri AA, Evers R, Grayson PC. Stenosis and Pseudostenosis of the Upper Extremity Arteries in Large-Vessel Vasculitis. ACR Open Rheumatol 2019;1:156-63. |
Observational-Dx |
189 MRA studies |
To compare imaging and clinical aspects of stenosis and pseudostenosis in a cohort of large-vessel vasculitis (LVV), including giant-cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK). |
184 MRA scans were analyzed from patients with GCA (n=36), TAK (n=47), and comparators (n=25). Pseudostenoses were frequently observed (48/184 scans, 26%) in the distal subclavian artery only on the side of injection and were shorter in length compared to true stenoses (25 mm vs 78 mm, p<0.01). There was no difference in prevalence of pseudostenosis by diagnosis (GCA=33%, TAK=23%, comparator=20%, p=0.44), disease activity status (p=0.31), or treatment status (p=1.00). Percent and length of true stenosis was independently associated with pulse and blood pressure abnormalities in the upper extremity. Adjusting for length and stenosis degree, absence of collateral arteries was associated with arm claudication (odds ratio=2.37, p=0.03). |
1 |
| 20. Klink T, Geiger J, Both M, et al. Giant cell arteritis: diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging of superficial cranial arteries in initial diagnosis-results from a multicenter trial. Radiology. 273(3):844-52, 2014 Dec.Radiology. 273(3):844-52, 2014 Dec. |
Observational-Dx |
185 patients |
To assess the diagnostic accuracy of contrast material–enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of superficial cranial arteries in the initial diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA). |
Sensitivity of MR imaging was 78.4% and specificity was 90.4% for the total study cohort, and sensitivity was 88.7% and specificity was 75.0% for the TAB subcohort (first observer). Diagnostic accuracy was comparable for both observers, with good interobserver agreement (TAB subcohort, k = 0.718; total study cohort, k = 0.676). MR imaging scores were significantly higher in patients with GCA-positive results than in patients with GCA-negative results (TAB subcohort and total study cohort, P , .001). Diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging was high in patients without and with sCS therapy for 5 days or fewer (area under the curve, ?0.9) and was decreased in patients receiving sCS therapy for 6–14 days. In 56.5% of patients with TAB-positive results (35 of 62), MR imaging displayed symmetrical and simultaneous inflammation of arterial segments. |
1 |
| 21. Rheaume M, Rebello R, Pagnoux C, et al. High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Scalp Arteries for the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis: Results of a Prospective Cohort Study. Arthritis & Rheumatology. 69(1):161-168, 2017 01.Arthritis rheumatol.. 69(1):161-168, 2017 01. |
Observational-Dx |
171 patients |
To examine the concordance between high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the scalp arteries and temporal artery biopsy for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA). |
One hundred seventy-one patients were included in the study. Temporal artery biopsy findings were positive in 31 patients (18.1%), and MRI findings were abnormal in 60 patients (35.1%). ACR criteria were met in 137 patients (80.1%). With temporal artery biopsy as the reference test, MRI had a sensitivity of 93.6% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 78.6–99.2) and a specificity of 77.9% (95% CI 70.1–84.4). The corresponding negative predictive value of MRI was 98.2% (95% CI 93.6–99.8) and positive predictive value was 48.3% (95% CI 35.2–61.6). |
2 |
| 22. Dejaco C, Ramiro S, Duftner C, et al. EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging in large vessel vasculitis in clinical practice. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 77(5):636-643, 2018 05.Ann Rheum Dis. 77(5):636-643, 2018 05. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To provide userfriendly, evidence-based recommendations for the use of imaging modalities for diagnosis, monitoring and outcome prediction of primary LVV. |
No results stated in abstract. |
4 |
| 23. Monti S, Floris A, Ponte C, et al. The use of ultrasound to assess giant cell arteritis: review of the current evidence and practical guide for the rheumatologist. [Review]. Rheumatology (Oxford). 57(2):227-235, 2018 Feb 01. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To provide the current evidence and technical parameters to support the rheumatologist in the CDS evaluation of patients with suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA). |
No results stated in abstract. |
4 |
| 24. Prieto-Gonzalez S, Arguis P, Cid MC. Imaging in systemic vasculitis. [Review]. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 27(1):53-62, 2015 Jan. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To focuse on recently generated data with potential clinical impact in the diagnosis, evaluation of disease extent and management of systemic vasculitis. |
Temporal artery examination by color duplex ultrasonography (CDUS) is a valuable approach to the diagnosis of giant-cell arteritis. Evaluation of additional arteries may increase its diagnostic performance. However, CDUS-specific findings may not be detected in arteries with early inflammation and CDUS-guidance of temporal artery biopsy does not seem to significantly increase its diagnostic yield. Large-vessel involvement detected by computed tomography angiography occurs in two out of three of patients with giant-cell arteritis at diagnosis. Furthermore, significant ascending aortic dilatation can be observed in one out of three of patients after long-term follow-up. Objective cut-offs for detecting large-vessel inflammation by positron emission tomography (PET) are trying to be established through prospective studies. PET may also contribute to the assessment of disease extent in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis or Behçet's disease. |
4 |
| 25. Prieto-Gonzalez S, Garcia-Martinez A, Tavera-Bahillo I, et al. Effect of glucocorticoid treatment on computed tomography angiography detected large-vessel inflammation in giant-cell arteritis. A prospective, longitudinal study. Medicine (Baltimore). 94(5):e486, 2015 Feb. |
Observational-Dx |
40 patients |
To prospectively assess glucocorticoidinduced changes in CTA findings of LVV in patients with GC |
CTA was repeated to 35 patients after a median follow-up of 13.5 months (IQ25–75% 12.4–15.8). Arterial wall thickening was still present in 17 patients (68% of the patients who initially had LVV). The number of affected segments and wall thickness at various aortic segments significantly decreased and no patients developed new lesions, new aortic dilation or increase in previous dilation. Contrast enhancement disappeared in 15 (93.75%) of 16 patients in whom this finding could be assessed. |
2 |
| 26. Berthod PE, Aho-Glele S, Ornetti P, et al. CT analysis of the aorta in giant-cell arteritis: a case-control study. Eur Radiol. 28(9):3676-3684, 2018 Sep. |
Observational-Dx |
174 patients |
To assess aortic morphology by CT scan and its diagnostic value in giant cell arteritis (GCA). |
Aortic diameters and atheroma scores were similar between groups. Aortic wall thickness was greater in the GCA group, even after the exclusion of GCA patients with aortic wall thickness =3 mm. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that a wall thickness of 2.2 mm was the optimal threshold to diagnose GCA (sensitivity, 67%; specificity, 98%). |
3 |
| 27. Hartlage GR, Palios J, Barron BJ, et al. Multimodality imaging of aortitis. [Review]. Jacc: Cardiovascular Imaging. 7(6):605-19, 2014 Jun.JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 7(6):605-19, 2014 Jun. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To discuss the available imaging modalities for diagnosis and management of the spectrum of aortitis disorders that cardiovascular physicians should be familiar with for facilitating optimal patient care. |
No results stated in abstract. |
4 |
| 28. Espigol-Frigole G, Prieto-Gonzalez S, Alba MA, et al. Advances in the diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis. [Review]. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 41(1):125-40, ix, 2015. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To discuss recent contributions to the better performance and interpretation of temporal artery biopsies as well as advances in imaging including those in the diagnosis of Large Vessel Vasculitis. |
No results stated. |
4 |
| 29. Barra L, Kanji T, Malette J, Pagnoux C, CanVasc. Imaging modalities for the diagnosis and disease activity assessment of Takayasu's arteritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. [Review]. Autoimmun Rev. 17(2):175-187, 2018 Feb. |
Meta-analysis |
57 Studies |
To determine the effectiveness of imaging modalities for the management of Takayasu's Arteritis (TAK). |
From the 1126 citations screened, 57 studies met our inclusion criteria. Many of the studies were of small sample size (average N=27), cross-sectional design and low methodological quality. Ultrasound (US) had a lower pooled sensitivity (SN) of 81% (95% CI: 69-89%) than Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) with SN=92% (95% CI: 88-95%) for TAK diagnosis (by clinical criteria and/or X-Ray angiography). Both had high specificities (SP) of >90% for TAK diagnosis. Fewer studies investigated computed tomography angiography (CTA), but SN and SP for TAK diagnosis was high (>90%). The utility of vessel wall thickening and enhancement by MRA and CTA to predict disease activity varied across studies. The pooled SN and SP of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) for disease activity was 81% (95% CI: 69-89%) and 74% (95% CI: 55-86%), respectively. |
Good |
| 30. Kermani TA, Diab S, Sreih AG, et al. Arterial lesions in giant cell arteritis: A longitudinal study. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 48(4):707-713, 2019 02. |
Observational-Dx |
187 patients |
To evaluate large-vessel (LV) abnormalities on serial imaging in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and discern predictors of new lesions. |
The study included 187 patients with GCA, 146 (78%) female, mean (±SD) age at diagnosis 68.5 ± 8.5 years; 39% diagnosed by LV imaging. At least one arterial lesion was present in 123 (66%) on the first study. The most frequently affected arteries were subclavian (42%), axillary (32%), and thoracic aorta (20%). In 106 patients (57%) with serial imaging, new arterial lesions were noted in 41 patients (39%), all of whom had a baseline abnormality, over a mean (±SD) follow-up of 4.39 (2.22) years. New abnormalities were observed in 33% patients by year 2; clinical features of active disease were present at only 50% of these cases. There were no differences in age, sex, temporal artery biopsy positivity, or disease activity in patients with or without new lesions. |
3 |
| 31. Garcia-Martinez A, Arguis P, Prieto-Gonzalez S, et al. Prospective long term follow-up of a cohort of patients with giant cell arteritis screened for aortic structural damage (aneurysm or dilatation). Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 73(10):1826-32, 2014 Oct. |
Observational-Dx |
54 patients |
To perform a prospective longitudinal evaluation of a patient cohort previously screened for ASD in order to assess the development of new ASD and the outcome of previously detected abnormalities over an extended follow-up period. |
18 of the 54 patients abandoned the study due to death or other reasons. The remaining 36 patients were subjected to a second screening and 14 to a third screening. 12 (33.3%) of the 36 patients re-screened and 16 (29.6%) of the initial cohort developed ASD, all but one in the thoracic aorta. Aortic diameters at the ascending and descending aorta significantly increased over time. One patient (1.9% of the initial cohort) died from aortic dissection. Surgery was advised in eight (50%) patients with ASD but could only be performed in three patients (37.7%). The development of ASD was not associated with persistence of detectable disease activity. |
2 |
| 32. Muto G, Yamashita H, Takahashi Y, et al. Large vessel vasculitis in elderly patients: early diagnosis and steroid-response evaluation with FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced CT. Rheumatol Int. 34(11):1545-54, 2014 Nov. |
Observational-Dx |
78 patients |
To describe the usefulness of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) and contrast-enhanced CT in early diagnosis and treatment follow-up of patients with LVV presenting as elderly onset inflammation of unknown origin. |
Abnormal findings were observed on images from 78 patients. The findings were indicative of LVV in 13 patients (10.5 %), of whom more than half had only non-specific symptoms. Patients with LVV had significantly higher aortic wall SUV(max) (3.85 vs. 1.95), PET scores by FDG-PET/CT, and aortic wall thicknesses by contrast-enhanced CT (3.8 vs. 2.6 mm) than controls. Significant improvement in aortic wall thickening was evidenced by reduced PET scores and by contrast-enhanced CT findings in patients who were followed up after treatment. LVV is an important cause of IUO with non-specific symptoms in elderly patients. Imaging examination comprising contrast-enhanced CT and FDG-PET/CT is useful for early diagnosis and early treatment evaluation of LVV, allowing for amelioration of reversible aortic wall thickening. |
3 |
| 33. Slart RHJA, Writing group, Reviewer group, et al. FDG-PET/CT(A) imaging in large vessel vasculitis and polymyalgia rheumatica: joint procedural recommendation of the EANM, SNMMI, and the PET Interest Group (PIG), and endorsed by the ASNC. [Review]. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 45(7):1250-1269, 2018 07. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
Toprovide recommendations and statements, based on the available evidence in the literature and consensus of experts in the field, for patient preparation, and FDG-PET/CT(A) acquisition and interpretation for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with suspected or diagnosed large vessel vasculitis (LVV) and/or polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). |
No results stated. |
4 |
| 34. Vaidyanathan S, Chattopadhyay A, Mackie SL, Scarsbrook AF. Comparative effectiveness of 18F-FDG PET-CT and contrast-enhanced CT in the diagnosis of suspected large-vessel vasculitis. Br J Radiol. 91(1089):20180247, 2018 Sep. |
Observational-Dx |
36 patients |
To compare the accuracy of FDG PET-CT and contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) in the evaluation of patients with LVV. |
36 adults (17 LVV, 19 controls) with a mean age (range) 63 (38-89) years, of which 17 (47%) were males were included. Time interval between CT and PET was mean [standard deviation (SD)] 1.9 (1.2) months. Both SUVmax and wall thickness demonstrated a significant difference between LVV and controls, with a mean difference [95%confidence interval (CI)] for SUVmax 1.6 (1.1, 2.0) and wall thickness 1.25 (0.68, 1.83) mm, respectively. These two parameters were significantly correlated (p < 0.0001, R = 0.62). The area under the curve (AUC) (95% CI) for SUVmax was 0.95 (0.88-1.00), and for mural thickening was 0.83 (0.66-0.99). |
3 |
| 35. Lariviere D, Benali K, Coustet B, et al. Positron emission tomography and computed tomography angiography for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis: A real-life prospective study. Medicine (Baltimore). 95(30):e4146, 2016 Jul. |
Observational-Dx |
24 patients |
To compare the diagnostic performance of FDG-PET and CTA in patients with GCA. |
Twenty-four patients suspected for GCA were included. Fifteen (62.5%) were ultimately diagnosed as having GCA. Among them,all fulfilled ACR criteria and 6 had biopsy-proven GCA. Strong FDG uptake in large vessels was found in 10 patients who all had GCA.Mean maximal standard uptake values (SUVmax) per patient measured at all the arterial territories were of 3.7 (range: 2.8–4.7). FDGuptake was negative in 14 patients including 9 and 5 patients without and with GCA, respectively. Mural thickening suggestive ofaortitis or branch vessel arteritis was observed on CTA in 11 patients with and 2 patients without GCA. No mural thickening wasobserved in 11 patients including 7 patients without and 4 patients with GCA. Overall, sensitivity was 66.7% and 73.3%, specificitywas 100% and 84.6%, NPV was 64.3% and 64.6%, and PPV was 100% and 84.6% of FDG-PET and CTA, respectively. |
2 |
| 36. de Boysson H, Dumont A, Liozon E, et al. Giant-cell arteritis: concordance study between aortic CT angiography and FDG-PET/CT in detection of large-vessel involvement. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 44(13):2274-2279, 2017 Dec. |
Observational-Dx |
28 Patients |
To assess the concordance of aortic CT angiography (CTA) and FDG-PET/CT in the detection of large-vessel involvement at diagnosis in patients with giant-cell arteritis (GCA). |
We included 28 patients (21/7 women/men, median age 67 [56-82]). Nineteen patients had large-vessel involvement on PET/CT and 18 of these patients also presented positive findings on CTA. In a per-segment analysis, a median of 5 [1-7] and 3 [1-6] vascular territories were involved on positive PET/CT and CTA, respectively (p = 0.03). In qualitative analysis, i.e., positivity of the procedure suggesting a large-vessel involvement, the concordance rate between both procedures was 0.85 [0.64-1]. In quantitative analysis, i.e., per-segment analysis in both procedures, the global concordance rate was 0.64 [0.54-0.75]. Using FDG-PET/CT as a reference, CTA showed excellent sensitivity (95%) and specificity (100%) in a per-patient analysis. In a per-segment analysis, sensitivity and specificity were 61% and 97.9%, respectively. |
4 |
| 37. Hommada M, Mekinian A, Brillet PY, et al. Aortitis in giant cell arteritis: diagnosis with FDG PET/CT and agreement with CT angiography. Autoimmun Rev. 16(11):1131-1137, 2017 Nov. |
Observational-Dx |
79 patients (52 GCA patients and 27 controls) |
To assess the detection rate of aortitis in giant cell arteritis (GCA) with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET) and to compare the findings with CT angiography (CTA). |
Aortitis was diagnosed using PET in 40% (14/35) of patients at diagnosis and in 0% of controls (0/27). Agreement was perfect between PET and CT at a patient-based level, and very good at a vascular segment-based level (kappa: 0.72 to 1). PET was positive in 35% (6/17) of patients scanned during GCA relapse, showing aortitis (n=4) and/or articular uptake (n=4). Discrepancies between PET and CT were observed only in relapsing GCA (n=3). Correlation between the maximum standardized uptake value and wall thickness was moderate at diagnosis (r: 0.57 to 0.7) and not statistically significant during relapse. |
3 |
| 38. Olthof SC, Krumm P, Henes J, et al. Imaging giant cell arteritis and Aortitis in contrast enhanced 18F-FDG PET/CT: Which imaging score correlates best with laboratory inflammation markers?. Eur J Radiol. 99:94-102, 2018 Feb. |
Observational-Dx |
17 patients |
To define the most appropriate imaging parameters in combined Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT reflecting the inflammatory burden in large vessel vasculitis. |
Visual PET scores showed stronger correlation with CRP (? 0.640, 0.541 for reader I and II, respectively) than with ESR levels (? 0.477, 0.447). Quantitative PET showed strongest correlation with CRP using liver as reference tissue. Visual CT scores did neither correlate with ESR nor with CRP levels (ESR: ? 0.085, 0.294 with p 0.743, 0.252; CRP: ? 0.322, 0.395 with p 0.208, 0.116). Quantitative CT evaluation correlated with ESR levels in one reader (? 0.505, -0.026), however no correlation between quantitative CT measures and quantitative PET scores was found. Best ICC between readers was 0.994 for highest SUVavg vessel/highest SUVavg liver. |
3 |
| 39. Muratore F, Pipitone N, Salvarani C, Schmidt WA. Imaging of vasculitis: State of the art. [Review]. Best Practice & Research in Clinical Rheumatology. 30(4):688-706, 2016 08.Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 30(4):688-706, 2016 08. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To focus on the role of imaging studies in diagnosing and monitoring LVV, but will also mention their principal applications in medium and small-sized vessel vasculitis. |
No results stated. |
4 |
| 40. Duftner C, Dejaco C, Sepriano A, Falzon L, Schmidt WA, Ramiro S. Imaging in diagnosis, outcome prediction and monitoring of large vessel vasculitis: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis informing the EULAR recommendations. RMD Open 2018;4:e000612. |
Review/Other-Dx |
43 studies |
To perform a systematic literature review on imaging techniques for diagnosis, outcome prediction and disease monitoring in large vessel vasculitis (LVV) informing the European League Against Rheumatism recommendations for imaging in LVV. |
Forty-three studies were included (39 on giant cell arteritis (GCA), 4 on Takayasu arteritis (TAK)). Ultrasound ('halo' sign) at temporal arteries (8 studies, 605 patients) and MRI of cranial arteries (6 studies, 509 patients) yielded pooled sensitivities of 77% (95% CI 62% to 87%) and 73% (95% CI 57% to 85%), respectively, compared with a clinical diagnosis of GCA. Corresponding specificities were 96% (95% CI 85% to 99%) and 88% (95% CI 81% to 92%). Two studies (93 patients) investigating PET for GCA diagnosis reported sensitivities of 67%-77% and specificities of 66%-100% as compared with clinical diagnosis or temporal artery biopsy. In TAK, one study each evaluated the role of magnetic resonance angiography and CT angiography for diagnostic purposes revealing both a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Studies on outcome prediction and monitoring disease activity/damage were limited and mainly descriptive. |
4 |
| 41. Kang EJ, Kim SM, Choe YH, Lee GY, Lee KN, Kim DK. Takayasu arteritis: assessment of coronary arterial abnormalities with 128-section dual-source CT angiography of the coronary arteries and aorta. Radiology. 270(1):74-81, 2014 Jan. |
Observational-Dx |
111 patients |
To evaluate coronary arterial lesions and to assess their correlation with clinical findings in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) by using coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography. |
Of 111 patients, 32 (28.8%) had cardiac symptoms and the remaining 79 (71.2%) had no cardiac symptoms. Fifty-nine patients (53.2%) had coronary arterial lesions at coronary CT angiography. Three main radiologic features were detected: coronary ostial stenosis (n = 31, 28.0%), nonostial coronary arterial stenosis (n = 41, 36.9%), and coronary aneurysm (n = 9, 8.1%). Coronary artery ostial or luminal stenosis of 50% or more or coronary aneurysms were observed in 26 (23.4%) patients with TA. Patients with coronary arterial abnormalities at coronary CT angiography had higher incidences of hypertension (P = .02), were older at the time of CT (P = .01), and had longer duration of TA (P = .02) than those without coronary artery abnormalities. The presence of cardiac symptoms, disease activity, and other comorbidities was not associated with differences in coronary artery involvement. |
3 |
| 42. Stellingwerff MD, Brouwer E, Lensen KJ, et al. Different Scoring Methods of FDG PET/CT in Giant Cell Arteritis: Need for Standardization. Medicine (Baltimore). 94(37):e1542, 2015 Sep. |
Observational-Dx |
71 patients |
To define the optimal FDG PET/CT scoring method for GCA diagnosis using temporal artery biopsy and clinical diagnosis as the reference method. |
Diagnostic accuracy of the visual method vascular versus liver uptake (1b) was highest when the cut-off point ‘‘vascular uptake higher than liver uptake’’ (sensitivity 83%, specificity 91%) was used. Sensitivity increased to 92% when patients on glucocorticoids were excluded from the analysis. Regarding the semiquantitative methods, the aorta-to-liver ratio (2b) with a cutoff of 1.03 had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with a sensitivity and specificity of 69% and 92%, respectively. Sensitivity increased to 90% when patients on glucocorticoids were excluded. The number of vascular segments with diffuse FDG uptake pattern was significantly higher in GCA patients without glucocorticoid use compared with all control patient groups. CRP was not significantly different between positive and negative FDG PET scans in the GCA group. |
2 |
| 43. Lensen KD, Comans EF, Voskuyl AE, et al. Large-vessel vasculitis: interobserver agreement and diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG-PET/CT. Biomed Res Int. 2015:914692, 2015. |
Observational-Dx |
31 (18)F-FDG-PET/CT scans |
To assess interobserver agreement and diagnostic accuracy of (18)F-FDG-PET for the detection of large artery involvement in giant cell arteritis (GCA). |
The highest interobserver agreement (kappa: 0.96 in initial study and 0.79 in external validation) was observed when vascular wall (18)F-FDG uptake higher than liver uptake was used as a diagnostic criterion, although agreement was also good without predefined criteria (kappa: 0.68 and 0.85). Sensitivity and specificity were comparable for these methods. The criterion of vascular wall (18)F-FDG uptake equal to liver (18)F-FDG uptake had low specificity. |
2 |
| 44. Besson FL, de Boysson H, Parienti JJ, Bouvard G, Bienvenu B, Agostini D. Towards an optimal semiquantitative approach in giant cell arteritis: an (18)F-FDG PET/CT case-control study. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 41(1):155-66, 2014 Jan. |
Review/Other-Dx |
11 patients |
To compare different semiquantitative approaches using a controlled design to define the most efficient method. |
We included 11 patients with biopsy-proven GCA cases and 11 matched controls. There were no differences between the groups with regard to body weight, injected radioactivity, blood glucose level or CRP. The arterial to venous blood pool ratios discriminated the two groups better than other methods when applied to the aortic arch and the descending thoracic aorta (p<0.015). In particular, the highest aortic to highest blood pool SUVmax ratio, when applied to the aortic arch, provided optimal diagnostic performance (sensitivity 81.8 %, specificity 91 %, AUC 0.87; p<0.0001) using a cut-off value of 1.53. |
4 |
| 45. Castellani M, Vadrucci M, Florimonte L, Caronni M, Benti R, Bonara P. 18F-FDG uptake in main arterial branches of patients with large vessel vasculitis: visual and semiquantitative analysis. Ann Nucl Med. 30(6):409-20, 2016 Jul. |
Review/Other-Dx |
34 patients with 66 PET/CT studies |
To evaluate a more extensive role for PET/CT in grading vascular inflammation in patients with different clinical stages of disease. |
Higher levels of regional and global FDG uptake were found at diagnosis in comparison with follow-up studies of 12 patients with complete longitudinal observation (p value range 0.0552-0.0026). In the latter group high values were generally observed when disease relapse or incomplete response to therapy (active disease) occurred, whereas lower uptake was found in studies of remitted patients (p = <0.01), whose FDG levels were similar to those of control subjects. At ROC analysis performed on all image dataset, optimal cut-off levels of regional and global FDG vascular uptake provided a good discrimination between 25 patients at diagnosis and 15 control subjects (aSUV greater than 0.697; PPV = 92.3; NPV = 92.9). Major overlap was observed among FDG levels of 21 patients with active disease and in remission (aSUV greater than 0.653; PPV = 58.3; NPV = 94.1). Similar performances of visual and semiquantitative analyses were found when areas under curves (AUCs) were compared. |
4 |
| 46. Grayson PC, Alehashemi S, Bagheri AA, et al. 18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography As an Imaging Biomarker in a Prospective, Longitudinal Cohort of Patients With Large Vessel Vasculitis. Arthritis rheumatol.. 70(3):439-449, 2018 03. |
Observational-Dx |
56 patients with LVV, 59 comparator subjects |
To assess the clinical value of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in a prospective cohort of patients with large vessel vasculitis (LVV) and comparator subjects. |
A total of 170 FDG-PET scans were performed in 115 participants (56 patients with LVV and 59 comparator subjects). FDG-PET distinguished patients with clinically active LVV from comparator subjects with a sensitivity of 85% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 69, 94) and a specificity of 83% (95% CI 71, 91). FDG-PET scans were interpreted as active vasculitis in most patients with LVV in clinical remission (41 of 71 [58%]). Clinical disease activity status, disease duration, body mass index, and glucocorticoid use were independently associated with activity on PET scan. Among patients who underwent PET during clinical remission, future clinical relapse was more common in patients with a high PETVAS than in those with a low PETVAS (55% versus 11%; P = 0.03) over a median follow-up period of 15 months. |
1 |
| 47. Ahlman MA, Vigneault DM, Sandfort V, et al. Internal tissue references for 18Fluorodeoxyglucose vascular inflammation imaging: Implications for cardiovascular risk stratification and clinical trials. PLoS ONE. 12(11):e0187995, 2017. |
Observational-Dx |
37 patients |
To evaluate the ability of the current common methods to normalize for blood activity and to investigate alternative methods for more accurate quantification of vascular inflammation. |
Blood pool activity was positively associated with maximum artery wall SUV (ß = 5.61, P<0.0001) as well as mean liver (ß = 6.23, P<0.0001) and spleen SUV (ß = 5.20, P<0.0001). Artery wall activity divided by blood activity (TBRBlood) or subtraction of blood activity did not remove the statistically significant relationship to blood activity. Blood pool activity was not related to TBRliver and TBRspleen (ß = -0.36, P = NS and ß = -0.58, P = NS, respectively). |
3 |
| 48. Puppo C, Massollo M, Paparo F, et al. Giant cell arteritis: a systematic review of the qualitative and semiquantitative methods to assess vasculitis with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. [Review]. Biomed Res Int. 2014:574248, 2014. |
Observational-Dx |
381 patients |
To compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ultrasound with biopsy in diagnosing patients with suspected GCA. |
We developed and implemented an ultrasound training programme for diagnosing suspected GCA. We recruited 430 patients with suspected GCA. We analysed 381 patients who underwent both ultrasound and biopsy within 10 days of starting treatment for suspected GCA and who attended a follow-up assessment (median age 71.1 years; 72% female). The sensitivity of biopsy was 39% [95% confidence interval (CI) 33% to 46%], which was significantly lower than previously reported and inferior to ultrasound (54%, 95% CI 48% to 60%); the specificity of biopsy (100%, 95% CI 97% to 100%) was superior to ultrasound (81%, 95% CI 73% to 88%). If we scanned all suspected patients and performed biopsies only on negative cases, sensitivity increased to 65% and specificity was maintained at 81%, reducing the need for biopsies by 43%. Strategies combining clinical judgement (clinician's assessment at 2 weeks) with the tests showed sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 81%, respectively, for biopsy and 93% and 77%, respectively, for ultrasound; cost-effectiveness (incremental net monetary benefit) was £485 per patient in favour of ultrasound with both cost savings and a small health gain. Inter-rater analysis revealed moderate agreement among sonographers (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.61, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.75), similar to pathologists (0.62, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.76). |
2 |
| 49. Soussan M, Nicolas P, Schramm C, et al. Management of large-vessel vasculitis with FDG-PET: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. [Review]. Medicine (Baltimore). 94(14):e622, 2015 Apr. |
Review/Other-Dx |
9 studies |
To investigate the performance of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-18 FDG PET) or positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the assessment of disease activity in patients with large vessel vasculitis (LVV) through a meta-analysis. |
A total of 439 PET images from 298 patients pooled from nine studies showed that the pooled sensitivity was 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79-0.93] without heterogeneity (?2 = 14.42, P = .07) and the pooled specificity was 0.81 (95% CI 0.64-0.91) with heterogeneity (?2 = 63.72, P = .00) for the detection of active LVV. The pooled DOR was 30 (95% CI 8-107). Hierarchical sROC curve indicates that the area under the curve was 0.91 (95% CI 0.89-0.94). There was no significant publication bias (P = .42), and meta-regression analysis revealed that none of the variables was the source of the study heterogeneity. |
4 |
| 50. Lee SW, Kim SJ, Seo Y, Jeong SY, Ahn BC, Lee J. F-18 FDG PET for assessment of disease activity of large vessel vasculitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Nucl Cardiol 2019;26:59-67. |
Review/Other-Dx |
9 studies |
To identify predictive factors of a positive PET/CT scan for LVV in patients classified as having isolated polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) according to well-established criteria. |
The mean age of the 84 patients (51 women) with classic PMR was 71.4 ± 9.2 years. A PET/CT scan was positive in 51 (60.7%). Persistence of classic PMR symptoms was the most common reason to perform a PET/CT scan. Nevertheless, patients with positive PET/CT scan often had unusual symptoms. The best set of predictors of a positive PET/CT scan were bilateral diffuse lower limb pain (OR = 8.8, 95% CI: 1.7-46.3; p = 0.01), pelvic girdle pain (OR = 4.9, 95% CI: 1.50-16.53; p = 0.01) and inflammatory low back pain (OR = 4.7, 95% CI: 1.03-21.5; p = 0.04). |
4 |
| 51. Luqmani R, Lee E, Singh S, et al. The Role of Ultrasound Compared to Biopsy of Temporal Arteries in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis (TABUL): a diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness study. Health Technol Assess. 20(90):1-238, 2016 11. |
Observational-Dx |
381 patients |
To compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ultrasound with biopsy in diagnosing patients with suspected GCA. |
We developed and implemented an ultrasound training programme for diagnosing suspected GCA. We recruited 430 patients with suspected GCA. We analysed 381 patients who underwent both ultrasound and biopsy within 10 days of starting treatment for suspected GCA and who attended a follow-up assessment (median age 71.1 years; 72% female). The sensitivity of biopsy was 39% [95% confidence interval (CI) 33% to 46%], which was significantly lower than previously reported and inferior to ultrasound (54%, 95% CI 48% to 60%); the specificity of biopsy (100%, 95% CI 97% to 100%) was superior to ultrasound (81%, 95% CI 73% to 88%). If we scanned all suspected patients and performed biopsies only on negative cases, sensitivity increased to 65% and specificity was maintained at 81%, reducing the need for biopsies by 43%. Strategies combining clinical judgement (clinician's assessment at 2 weeks) with the tests showed sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 81%, respectively, for biopsy and 93% and 77%, respectively, for ultrasound; cost-effectiveness (incremental net monetary benefit) was £485 per patient in favour of ultrasound with both cost savings and a small health gain. Inter-rater analysis revealed moderate agreement among sonographers (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.61, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.75), similar to pathologists (0.62, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.76). |
1 |
| 52. Leccisotti L, Lorusso M, Feudo V, Gremese E, Giordano A. Diagnostic performance of FDG PET in large vessel vasculitis. Clinical and Translational Imaging 2019;7:415-25. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To qualitatively analyze the diagnostic performance of FDG PET in patients with diagnosis or suspected large vessel vasculitis (LVV). |
We have summarized the methodological aspects and the diagnostic performances of FDG PET in detecting LVV considering 15 articles published in the literature. The data confirm the good diagnostic performance of FDG PET in this setting, using both visual and semiquantitative analysis. However, some heterogeneity has been found in several methodological aspects, as well as in the results of the included studies. |
4 |
| 53. Quinn KA, Ahlman MA, Malayeri AA, et al. Comparison of magnetic resonance angiography and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in large-vessel vasculitis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 77(8):1165-1171, 2018 08.Ann Rheum Dis. 77(8):1165-1171, 2018 08. |
Observational-Dx |
84 patients |
To assess agreement between interpretation of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) for disease extent and disease activity in large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) and determine associations between imaging and clinical assessments. |
Eighty-four patients (GCA=35; TAK=30; comparator=19) contributed 133 paired studies. Agreement for disease extent between MRA and PET was 580 out of 966 (60%) arterial territories with Cohen's kappa=0.22. Of 386 territories with disagreement, MRA demonstrated disease in more territories than PET (304vs82, p<0.01). Agreement for disease activity between MRA and PET was 90 studies (68%) with Cohen's kappa=0.30. In studies with disagreement, MRA demonstrated activity in 23 studies and PET in 20 studies (p=0.76). Oedema and wall thickness on MRA were independently associated with PET scan activity. Clinical status was associated with disease activity by PET (p<0.01) but not MRA (p=0.70), yet 35/69 (51%) patients with LVV in clinical remission had active disease by both MRA and PET. |
1 |
| 54. Einspieler I, Thurmel K, Eiber M. Fully integrated whole-body [18F]-fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging in therapy monitoring of giant cell arteritis. Eur Heart J 2016;37:576. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
No abstract available. |
No results included. |
4 |
| 55. de Boysson H, Liozon E, Lambert M, et al. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and the risk of subsequent aortic complications in giant-cell arteritis: A multicenter cohort of 130 patients. Medicine (Baltimore). 95(26):e3851, 2016 Jun. |
Observational-Dx |
549 patients |
To better characterize the presentation and evolution of large-vessel involvement (LVI) in patients with giant-cell arteritis (GCA). |
The patients with LVIwere younger (p b 0.0001),more likely to bewomen (p=0.01), and showed fewercephalic symptoms (p b 0.0001) and polymyalgia rheumatica (p=0.001) but more extracranial vascular symptoms(p=0.05) than the patientswithout LVI. Glucocorticoids (GC) management did not differ between the twogroups, but the GC discontinuation rate was lower in the patientswith LVI (p=0.0003). Repeated aortic imagingprocedures were performed at 19 months [range: 5–162 months] and 17 months [range: 6–168 months] afterdiagnosis in 154 patients with LVI and 123 patients without LVI, respectively, of whom21% and 7%, respectively,presented new aortic dilations (p = 0.0008). In the patients with LVI, aortic dilation occurred on an aorta segmentshown to be inflammatory on previous imaging in 94% of patients. In the multivariate analysis, LVI wasthe strongest predictor of aortic dilation (hazard ratio: 3.16 [range: 1.34–7.48], p = 0.009). |
3 |
| 56. de Boysson H, Daumas A, Vautier M, et al. Large-vessel involvement and aortic dilation in giant-cell arteritis. A multicenter study of 549 patients. [Review]. Autoimmun Rev. 17(4):391-398, 2018 Apr. |
Review/Other-Dx |
549 patients |
To better characterize the presentation and evolution of LVI in patients with GCA. |
The patients with LVI were younger (p<0.0001), more likely to be women (p=0.01), and showed fewer cephalic symptoms (p<0.0001) and polymyalgia rheumatica (p=0.001) but more extracranial vascular symptoms (p=0.05) than the patients without LVI. Glucocorticoids (GC) management did not differ between the two groups, but the GC discontinuation rate was lower in the patients with LVI (p=0.0003). Repeated aortic imaging procedures were performed at 19months [range: 5-162months] and 17months [range: 6-168months] after diagnosis in 154 patients with LVI and 123 patients without LVI, respectively, of whom 21% and 7%, respectively, presented new aortic dilations (p=0.0008). In the patients with LVI, aortic dilation occurred on an aorta segment shown to be inflammatory on previous imaging in 94% of patients. In the multivariate analysis, LVI was the strongest predictor of aortic dilation (hazard ratio: 3.16 [range: 1.34-7.48], p=0.009). |
4 |
| 57. Dellavedova L, Carletto M, Faggioli P, et al. The prognostic value of baseline (18)F-FDG PET/CT in steroid-naive large-vessel vasculitis: introduction of volume-based parameters. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 43(2):340-348, 2016 Feb. |
Observational-Dx |
46 patients |
To analyse if the result of a baseline (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scan, in large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) patients, is able to predict the course of the disease, not only in terms of presence/absence of final complications but also in terms of favourable/complicated progress (response to steroid therapy, time to steroid suspension, relapses, etc.). |
Measures of tracer uptake intensity were significantly higher in patients with complicated progress compared to those with a favourable one (p < 0.05). Measures of disease extension were even more significant and TLG emerged as the best parameter to separate the two groups of patients (p = 0.01). |
2 |
| 58. Santhosh S, Mittal BR, Gayana S, Bhattacharya A, Sharma A, Jain S. F-18 FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of Takayasu arteritis: an experience from the tropics. J Nucl Cardiol. 21(5):993-1000, 2014 Oct. |
Observational-Dx |
60 FDG PET/CT studies in 51 patients |
To evaluate the performance parameters of FDG PET/CT in patients with Takayasu arteritis at diagnosis and during immunosuppression. |
PET/CT was positive for active vasculitis in all 17 patients at diagnosis. The mean SUVmax and mean SUV ratio of the active areas were 5.1 ± 3.0 and 3.2 ± 1.9, respectively. On immunosuppression, PET scan was positive for active vasculitis in 14/43 (32.5%) scans. The mean SUVmax and mean SUVratio of the active areas were 1.7 ± 2.1 and 0.95 ± 1.2, respectively. There was significant difference between the mean SUVmax and mean SUVratio at diagnosis and on immunosuppression, respectively (P < .01). The median number of vascular segments in each uptake grade group was also statistically different (P < .01) between scans at diagnosis and on immunosuppression. The median ESR level in PET positive scans was 29 mm/hour (2-53), whereas in PET negative scans was 35.5 mm/hour (6-50) and the difference was not statistically significant. |
2 |
| 59. Alibaz-Oner F, Dede F, Ones T, Turoglu HT, Direskeneli H. Patients with Takayasu's arteritis having persistent acute-phase response usually have an increased major vessel uptake by 18F-FDG-PET/CT. Mod Rheumatol. 25(5):752-5, 2015 Sep. |
Observational-Dx |
14 patients |
To investigate the value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for clinical assessment in a subset of Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) patients having a persistent acute-phase response (APR) without any signs or symptoms of clinical disease activity. |
Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 50.8 ± 13.2 mm/hour and mean C-reactive protein level was 28.5 ± 22.1 mg/L. Active vasculitic lesions were observed by 18F-FDG-PET/CT in 9 of 14 (64.3%) patients. The median number of active vascular lesions was 2 (range: 1-5). A step-up treatment change was decided in 8 patients according to 18F-FDG-PET/CT results. |
3 |
| 60. Gomez L, Chaumet-Riffaud P, Noel N, et al. Effect of CRP value on 18F-FDG PET vascular positivity in Takayasu arteritis: a systematic review and per-patient based meta-analysis. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 45(4):575-581, 2018 04. |
Review/Other-Dx |
9 articles |
To quantify the association between the CRP value and 18F-FDG PET vascular positivity in Takayasu arteritis (TAK) through a structured dedicated systematic review and meta-analysis. |
Among the 33 initial citations, nine complete articles including 210 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Five studies found a significant correlation between the 18F-FDG PET and CRP concentration, one provided a trend towards association and three did not find any association between the two biomarkers. Six studies found a significant association between 18F-FDG PET and clinical disease activity, one found a trend towards association and the last two studies did not evaluate this correlation. The meta-analysis (121 patients) provided the following results: Standard Mean Deviation = 0.54 [0.15;0.92]; Chi2 = 3.35; I2 = 0%; Test for overall effect: Z = 2.70 (P = 0.007). |
4 |
| 61. Han Q, Liang Q, Kang F, Wang J, Wu Z, Zhu P. An increased major vessel uptake by 18F-FDG-PET/CT in NIH criteria inactive patients with Takayasu's arteritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 36 Suppl 111(2):88-92, 2018 Mar-Apr. |
Observational-Dx |
17 patients |
To assess whether 18F-FDG-PET/CT can identify the distribution of inflammation in patients with inactive stage according to the NIH criteria revealed increased accumulation in TAK by 18F-FDGPET/ CT in clinical practice. |
Of the 17 patients, 6 were in the active stage and 11 were in the inactive stage according to the level of disease activity as clinically assessed by the NIH criteria. No significant 18F-FDG accumulation was observed in the patients with inactive disease (SUV=1.2). 18F-FDG-PET/CT localised 18F-FDG accumulation in the inflammatory lesion in the patients with TAK who had inactive disease (n=3) assessed by the NIH criteria. 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed intense 18F-FDG accumulation (SUV max 2.88) in the vasculature of 3 patients in the inactive stage of TAK. The other 8 patients in the active stage showed weak 18F-FDG accumulation (SUV =1.2). |
3 |
| 62. Soriano A, Pazzola G, Boiardi L, et al. Distribution patterns of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in large vessels of Takayasu's and giant cell arteritis using positron emission tomography. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 36 Suppl 111(2):99-106, 2018 Mar-Apr. |
Observational-Dx |
130 18F-FDG PET/CT scans in 15 GCA and 13 TAK patients |
To compare patterns of vascular involvement using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis (TAK). |
The aortic segments showed the highest SUV max values among the different districts in both GCA and TAK. SUV max values measured in the different districts were significantly higher in GCA compared to TAK, except for the axillary arteries. Regarding thoracic and abdominal aorta, ascending aorta and aortic arch had the highest correlation in both vasculitis (p<0.0001). CA confirmed that carotid, axillary, subclavian, iliac and femoral arteries clustered with their contralateral counterpart in both vasculitis. The 3 components of thoracic aorta clustered with abdominal aorta in TAK, while aortic arch clustered only with ascending aorta, and descending and abdominal aorta grouped together with iliac and femoral arteries in GCA. PCA analysis identified 3 different components for TAK and GCA explaining 72% and 71% of the total variance respectively in these two vasculitis. Confirming CA, a component including the entire aortic district was identified in TAK, but not in GCA. Similar results in PCA using averaged data were observed. |
2 |
| 63. Incerti E, Tombetti E, Fallanca F, et al. 18F-FDG PET reveals unique features of large vessel inflammation in patients with Takayasu's arteritis. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 44(7):1109-1118, 2017 Jul. |
Observational-Dx |
30 patients |
To assess whether 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT (FDG PET/CT) provides novel information in patients with Takayasu's arteritis (TA) in addition to that provided by current activity assessment, to analyse the effects of possible confounders, such as arterial grafts, and to verify whether PET/CT could be informative in lesions <4 mm thick. |
Increased FDG uptake was seen in 16 of 30 patients (53%) and in 46 of 177 vascular lesions (26%). Significant periprosthetic FDG uptake was seen in 6 of 7 patients (86%) with previous vascular surgery and in 10 of 11 of grafts (91%). Graft-associated uptake influenced the PET results in three patients (10%) and the SUVmax values in five patients (17%). Of 39 lesions with significant FDG uptake, 15 (38%) were <4 mm thick. Lesion thickness was correlated with lesion SUVmax in FDG-avid lesions only. FDG arterial uptake was not associated with systemic inflammation or NIH criteria. |
2 |
| 64. Youngstein T, Tombetti E, Mukherjee J, et al. FDG Uptake by Prosthetic Arterial Grafts in Large Vessel Vasculitis Is Not Specific for Active Disease. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 10(9):1042-1052, 2017 09. |
Observational-Dx |
26 patients |
To investigate the incidence and clinical significance of arterial graft-associated uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose in large-vessel vasculitis (LVV). |
Twenty-six subjects with TA were enrolled. All were afebrile with negative blood culture. Periprosthetic uptake was significant in 23 of 26 patients, and the mean SUVmax was 4.21 ± 1.46. Median periprosthetic [18F]FDG uptake score (3; interquartile range [IQR]: 3 to 3) was higher than in native aorta (1; IQR: 0 to 1; p < 0.001). Graft-specific [18F]FDG uptake was unrelated to disease activity. Despite the high frequency of graft-associated [18F]FDG uptake, sequential MRAs did not reveal arterial progression in 25 of 26 patients; the 1 remaining case showed minor progression limited to native arteries. Nine patients underwent repeated PET/CT scanning without showing changes in graft-specific uptake, despite increased treatment. |
1 |
| 65. Betrains A, Blockmans D. Use of (18)F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET in the Diagnosis and Follow-up of Polymyalgia Rheumatica. PET Clin 2020;15:147-52. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To summarize the role of FDG-PET imaging in polymyalgia rheumatica with a specific focus on findings, sensitivity and specificity, diagnosis and follow-up, assessment of concurrent large vessel vasculitis, and differential diagnosis. |
No results stated. |
4 |
| 66. Prieto-Pena D, Martinez-Rodriguez I, Loricera J, et al. Predictors of positive 18F-FDG PET/CT-scan for large vessel vasculitis in patients with persistent polymyalgia rheumatica. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 48(4):720-727, 2019 Feb. |
Observational-Dx |
84 patients |
To identify predictive factors of a positive PET/CT scan for LVV in patients classified as having isolated PMR according to well-established criteria. |
The mean age of the 84 patients (51 women) with classic PMR was 71.4 ± 9.2 years. A PET/CT scan was positive in 51 (60.7%). Persistence of classic PMR symptoms was the most common reason to perform a PET/CT scan. Nevertheless, patients with positive PET/CT scan often had unusual symptoms. The best set of predictors of a positive PET/CT scan were bilateral diffuse lower limb pain (OR = 8.8, 95% CI: 1.7-46.3; p = 0.01), pelvic girdle pain (OR = 4.9, 95% CI: 1.50-16.53; p = 0.01) and inflammatory low back pain (OR = 4.7, 95% CI: 1.03-21.5; p = 0.04). |
3 |
| 67. Mestre-Torres J, Simo-Perdigo M, Martinez-Valle F, Navales I, Loureiro-Amigo J, Solans-Laque R. Risk of ischaemic events at giant cell arteritis diagnosis according to PET/CT findings. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2019;46:1626-32. |
Observational-Dx |
30 patients |
To analyse the risk of ischaemic events in patients with newly diagnosed giant cell arteritis (GCA) according to PET/CT findings. |
The study group comprised 30 patients with a median age of 80.8 years. Of these patients, 21 (70%) reported ischaemic symptoms at diagnosis, and 13 (43.3%) had permanent visual loss. Of the 30 patients, 77.8% showed large vessel vasculitis (including aortic and vertebral artery involvement) on PET/CT, and 60% had isolated involvement of the vertebral territory. Vertebral arteries were more frequently involved in patients with ischaemic symptoms (OR 5.0, 95% CI 0.99-24.86, p = 0.051). The presence of vertebral artery involvement in the absence of aortic involvement was associated with the presence of ischaemic manifestations (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.001). The presence of aortitis was found to protect against the development of permanent visual loss (OR 19.0, 95% CI 2.79-127.97, p = 0.001). |
1 |
| 68. Michailidou D, Rosenblum JS, Rimland CA, Marko J, Ahlman MA, Grayson PC. Clinical symptoms and associated vascular imaging findings in Takayasu's arteritis compared to giant cell arteritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 79(2):262-267, 2020 02.Ann Rheum Dis. 79(2):262-267, 2020 02. |
Observational-Dx |
110 patients |
To compare the presence of head, neck and upper extremity symptoms in patients with Takayasu's (TAK) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) and their association with vascular inflammation assessed by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) or arterial damage assessed by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). |
Participants with TAK (n=56) and GCA (n=54) contributed data from 270 visits. Carotidynia was reported only in patients with TAK (21%) and was associated with vascular inflammation (p<0.01) but not damage (p=0.33) in the corresponding carotid artery. Posterior headache was reported in TAK (16%) and GCA (20%) but was only associated with corresponding vertebral artery inflammation and damage in GCA (p<0.01). Arm claudication was associated with subclavian artery damage (p<0.01) and inflammation (p=0.04) in TAK and with damage in GCA (p<0.01). Patients with an increased burden of damaged neck arteries were more likely to experience positional lightheadedness (p<0.01) or a major central nervous system event (p=0.01). |
2 |
| 69. Hay B, Mariano-Goulart D, Bourdon A, et al. Diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET-CT for large vessel involvement assessment in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis and negative temporal artery biopsy. Ann Nucl Med 2019;33:512-20. |
Observational-Dx |
63 patients |
To assess the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET-CT for large vessel involvement in patients with suspected giant cells arteritis (GCA) and a negative temporal artery biopsy (TAB). |
We included 63 patients (30 men and 33 women, aged 67 ± 12 years). 18F-FDG PET-CT showed large vessel involvement in 22 patients, 14 of whom were finally diagnosed with GCA. Forty-one patients were 18F-FDG PET-CT negative, 9 of whom were finally diagnosed with GCA. Overall, 18F-FDG uptake by large vessel yielded 61% sensitivity, 80% specificity, 64% positive predictive value, 78% negative predictive value, and 73% diagnostic accuracy. A significant number of patients were treated by corticosteroids before 18F-FDG PET-CT. However, corticosteroid therapy did not impact significantly the diagnostic performance, although there was a trend to a lower sensitivity in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy for more than 3 days. |
3 |
| 70. Clifford AH, Murphy EM, Burrell SC, et al. Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis Who Are Taking Glucocorticoids. J Rheumatol. 44(12):1859-1866, 2017 Dec. |
Observational-Dx |
56 patients |
To describe the distribution and intensity of large-vessel involvement on PET/CT scanning in a typical cohort of recent-onset clinically diagnosed (TAB+ and TAB–) and empirically treated patients with GCA and matched controls. |
Twenty-eight patients with GCA and 28 controls were enrolled. Eighteen patients with GCA were TAB+. Mean PET/CT scores after an average of 11.9 days of prednisone were higher in patients with GCA compared to controls, for both total uptake (10.34 ± 2.72 vs 7.73 ± 2.56; p = 0.001), and in 6 of 8 specific vascular territories. PET/CT scores were similar between TAB+ and TAB- patients with GCA. The optimal cutoff for distinguishing GCA cases from controls was a total PET/CT score of = 9, with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.75, sensitivity 71.4%, and specificity 64.3%. Among patients with GCA, these measures correlated with greater total PET/CT scores: systemic symptoms (p = 0.015), lower hemoglobin (p = 0.009), and higher platelet count (p = 0.008). |
1 |
| 71. Prieto-Gonzalez S, Depetris M, Garcia-Martinez A, et al. Positron emission tomography assessment of large vessel inflammation in patients with newly diagnosed, biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis: a prospective, case-control study. Ann Rheum Dis. 73(7):1388-92, 2014 Jul. |
Observational-Dx |
52 patients |
To prospectively assess the intensity and distribution of FDG uptake at different vascular territories in patients with newly diagnosed GCA compared with controls. |
Mean SUVm was significantly higher in patients than in controls in all vessels explored and correlated with acute-phase reactants and serum IL-6. Mean of the SUVm at all the vascular territories had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.830, and a cut-off of 1.89 yielded a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 79% for GCA diagnosis. There were no significant differences in AUC among the vascular beds examined. |
1 |
| 72. Nielsen BD, Gormsen LC, Hansen IT, Keller KK, Therkildsen P, Hauge EM. Three days of high-dose glucocorticoid treatment attenuates large-vessel 18F-FDG uptake in large-vessel giant cell arteritis but with a limited impact on diagnostic accuracy. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 45(7):1119-1128, 2018 07. |
Observational-Dx |
24 patients |
To evaluate the in-treatment diagnostic accuracy of FDG PET/CT in large-vessel giant cell arteritis (LV-GCA) by serial scans before and after a short course of high-dose glucocorticoid treatment. |
Although glucocorticoid treatment attenuated FDG uptake in large vessels, LV-GCA was accurately diagnosed in 10/10 patients after 3 days of treatment, but only in 5/14 patients after 10 days of treatment (p < 0.001). Interrater reliability was substantial (agreement 87%, Cohen's weighted kappa 0.70). No correlation between CRP and FDG uptake was found. |
1 |
| 73. Adler S, Sprecher M, Wermelinger F, Klink T, Bonel H, Villiger PM. Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography in large-vessel vasculitis. Swiss Medical Weekly. 147:w14397, 2017.Swiss Med Wkly. 147:w14397, 2017. |
Observational-Dx |
75 patients |
To evaluate contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in diagnosis of inflammatory aortic involvement in patients with clinical suspicion of large-vessel vasculitis. |
MRA was positive in 24/75 patients, with lesions located in the thorax in 7 patients, the abdomen in 5 and in both thorax and abdomen in 12. Probability for positive MRA after glucocorticoid intake for more than 5 days before MRA was reduced by 89.3%. Histology was negative in 3/10 MRA-positive patients and positive in 5/12 MRA-negative patients. All 5/12 histology positive / MRA-negative patients had glucocorticoids for >5 days prior to MRA and were diagnosed as having vasculitis. Positive predictive value for MRA was 92%, negative predictive value was 88%. |
2 |
| 74. Sun Y, Ma L, Ji Z, et al. Value of whole-body contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography with vessel wall imaging in quantitative assessment of disease activity and follow-up examination in Takayasu's arteritis. Clin Rheumatol. 35(3):685-93, 2016 Mar. |
Observational-Dx |
72 patients |
To determine the value of whole-body contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography(CE-MRI) with vessel wall imaging in quantitative assessments of Takayasu's arteritis (TA) disease activity and follow-up examinations. |
MRA was positive in 24/75 patients, with lesions located in the thorax in 7 patients, the abdo-men in 5 and in both thorax and abdomen in 12. Prob-ability for positive MRA after glucocorticoid intake for more than 5 days before MRA was reduced by 89.3%. Histology was negative in 3/10 MRA-positive patients and positive in 5/12 MRA-negative patients. All 5/12 histology positive / MRA-negative patients had gluco-corticoids for >5 days prior to MRA and were diag-nosed as having vasculitis. Positive predictive value for MRA was 92%, negative predictive value was 88%. |
3 |
| 75. Tombetti E, Mason JC. Application of imaging techniques for Takayasu arteritis. [Review]. Presse Med. 46(7-8 Pt 2):e215-e223, 2017 Jul - Aug. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To outline current imaging strategies in Takayasu arteritis, their individual roles in diagnosis and disease monitoring and potential future advances. |
No results in abstract. |
4 |
| 76. Kato Y, Terashima M, Ohigashi H, et al. Vessel Wall Inflammation of Takayasu Arteritis Detected by Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Association with Disease Distribution and Activity. PLoS ONE. 10(12):e0145855, 2015. |
Observational-Dx |
49 patients |
To evaluate the utility of LGE in assessing vessel wall inflammation and disease activity in Takayasu arteritis. |
We enrolled 49 patients with Takayasu arteritis who had undergone 1.5 T MRI. Patients were divided into Active (n = 19) and Inactive disease (n = 30) groups. The distribution of vessel wall inflammation using angiography and LGE was assessed by qualitative analysis. In 79% and 63% of patients in Active and Inactive groups, respectively, greater distribution of vessel wall inflammation was observed with LGE than with conventional angiography. MRI values of pre- and post-contrast signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), SNR increment (post-SNR minus pre-SNR), pre- and post-contrast contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR), and CNR increment (post-CNR minus pre-CNR) were evaluated at arterial wall sites with the highest signal intensity using quantitative analysis of post-contrast LGE images. No statistically significant differences in MRI parameters were observed between Active and Inactive groups. Contrast-enhanced MRI was unable to accurately detect active disease. |
2 |
| 77. Loffler C, Hoffend J, Benck U, Kramer BK, Bergner R. The value of ultrasound in diagnosing extracranial large-vessel vasculitis compared to FDG-PET/CT: A retrospective study. Clin Rheumatol. 36(9):2079-2086, 2017 Sep. |
Observational-Dx |
50 patients |
To evaluate doppler sonography (DS) at various arterial sites in 30 patients with LVV diagnosed by clinical, laboratory, and PET/CT findings and compared our findings with 20 controls. |
We analyzed data from 50 patients. In 30 (60.0%), we diagnosed LVV. The remaining 20 (40.0%) were included as control patients. The mean age was 63.3 ± 12.6 years (range 26–85). The male to female ratio in the entire cohort was 1:3.2. In the control group, the female contingent was 60.0% compared to 86.7% in the LVV group reflecting the fact that LVV, especially GCA, is more common in women. That difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). A complete list of patient characteristics is presented in Table 1.Unlike in gender distribution, the two groups were not different regarding age, leukocyte count, CRP levels, and ESR (age p = 0.293, 95% CI -3.387–10.954; leukocytes p = 0.394, 95% CI -2468–0.990; CRP p = 0.877, 95% CI-44.804–38.369; ESR p = 0.322, 95% CI -28.781– 9.663).In patients diagnosed with LVV, 26/30 (86.7%) were classified as GCA, 3/30 (10.0%) had isolated aortitis, and 1/30 (3.3%) was diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis. |
2 |
| 78. Schmidt WA.. Ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of giant cell arteritis. [Review]. Rheumatology (Oxford). 57(suppl_2):ii22-ii31, 2018 02 01. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To review the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of giant cell arteritis. |
No results stated in abstract. |
4 |
| 79. Schmidt WA, Blockmans D. Investigations in systemic vasculitis - The role of imaging. [Review]. Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 32(1):63-82, 2018 02. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To discuss advantages and disadvantages of imaging modalities in the diagnosis of vasculitis. |
No results in abstract. |
4 |
| 80. Diamantopoulos AP, Haugeberg G, Hetland H, Soldal DM, Bie R, Myklebust G. Diagnostic value of color Doppler ultrasonography of temporal arteries and large vessels in giant cell arteritis: a consecutive case series. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2014;66:113-9. |
Observational-Dx |
88 patients |
To evaluate the combination of Color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) examination of the temporal, axillary, and common carotid arteries in the diagnosis of GCA. |
A total of 88 patients were assessed. Forty-six patients were diagnosed to have GCA by the defined gold standard. Forty-eight patients had a positive CDUS of the temporal artery. Forty-six patients diagnosed with GCA had a positive CDUS of the temporal, common carotid, and axillary arteries (100% sensitivity) and 4 patients had a positive CDUS without having GCA (91% specificity). Among the 39 GCA patients that underwent a biopsy, vasculitis was observed in 26 patients (66%), yielding a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 95%. |
3 |
| 81. Aschwanden M, Imfeld S, Staub D, et al. The ultrasound compression sign to diagnose temporal giant cell arteritis shows an excellent interobserver agreement. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 33(2 Suppl 89):S-113-5, 2015 Mar-Apr. |
Observational-Dx |
60 patients |
To compare the diagnostic performance between a vascular specialist and a rheumatologist not familiar with vascular ultrasound when applying the compression sign for the diagnosis of temporal arteritis. |
In 59/60 patients, the examiners found an identical result. The interobserver agreement (Krippendorf alpha) was 0.92. |
1 |
| 82. Chrysidis S, Duftner C, Dejaco C, et al. Definitions and reliability assessment of elementary ultrasound lesions in giant cell arteritis: a study from the OMERACT Large Vessel Vasculitis Ultrasound Working Group. RMD Open 2018;4:e000598. |
Review/Other-Dx |
24 experts |
To define the elementary ultrasound (US) lesions in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and to evaluate the reliability of the assessment of US lesions according to these definitions in a web-based reliability exercise. |
Twenty-four experts participated in both Delphi rounds. From originally 25 statements, nine definitions were obtained for normal appearance, vasculitis and arteriosclerosis of cranial and extracranial vessels. The 'halo' and 'compression' signs were the key US lesions in GCA. The reliability of the definitions for normal temporal and axillary arteries, the 'halo' sign and the 'compression' sign was excellent with inter-rater agreements of 91-99% and mean kappa values of 0.83-0.98 for both inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities of all 25 experts. |
4 |
| 83. Fan W, Zhu J, Li J, Zhang W, Li C. Ultrasound morphological changes in the carotid wall of Takayasu's arteritis: monitor of disease progression. Int Angiol. 35(6):586-592, 2016 Dec. |
Review/Other-Dx |
51 patients |
To examine ultrasound morphological changes in the carotid wall in cases of Takayasu's arteritis and to thereby determine the value of ultrasound for assessments of Takayasu's arteritis disease activity and follow-up studies. |
Five types of ultrasonographic images were observed in the carotid walls of Takayasu's arteritis patients. Type III and type IV images were observed in younger patients; smaller wall thicknesses and less luminal stenosis were observed in these images. Type II and type IV images were more frequently obtained in cases involving active patients, whereas type I and type III images were more often acquired in cases involving inactive patients with significantly lower Indian Takayasu clinical activity scores. During follow-up, the wall thickness and outer diameter of the carotid increased in patients who relapsed and decreased in patients who remained in remission. |
4 |
| 84. Germano G, Macchioni P, Possemato N, et al. Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of the Carotid Artery in Patients With Large Vessel Vasculitis: Correlation With Positron Emission Tomography Findings. Arthritis care & research. 69(1):143-149, 2017 01. |
Observational-Dx |
31 patients |
To assess the findings of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of carotid arteries in patients with large vessel vasculitis (LVV) and to compare them with those observed using 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (18 FDG-PET). |
Ten 18 F-FDG/PET scans showed active vascular 18 F-FDG uptake (visual grade =2) in the right carotid artery. CEUS demonstrated severe vascularization (grade 2) within the right carotid artery wall in 12 examinations. The carotid CEUS vascularization grade significantly correlated with vascular 18 F-FDG uptake (P < 0.001) and maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) in the right carotid artery/mean SUV in the superior vena cava (P = 0.001). When active vascular 18 F-FDG uptake (=2) was considered the gold standard for defining vascular inflammation, carotid CEUS had a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 65-100) and a specificity of 92% (95% CI 72-99). The positive likelihood ratio was 12.5 (95% CI 3.3-47.2). Severe vascularization at CEUS and active vascular 18 F-FDG uptake were significantly more frequent in active disease according to Kerr's criteria compared to inactive (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). |
1 |
| 85. Czihal M, Piller A, Schroettle A, et al. Impact of cranial and axillary/subclavian artery involvement by color duplex sonography on response to treatment in giant cell arteritis. J Vasc Surg. 61(5):1285-91, 2015 May. |
Observational-Dx |
43 patients |
To determine the prognostic impact of the disease pattern assessed by CDS on the treatment response in GCA. |
The mean follow-up time was 25.4 months and did not differ between groups (P = .4). Patients in group A1 were significantly younger than patients in groups A2 and B (P < .01). The interval between symptom onset and diagnosis was significantly longer in groups A1 and A2 compared with group B (P < .01). The number of recurrences per month was significantly higher in group A2 compared with group A1 and group B (A1, 0.07; A2, 0.13; B, 0.03; P < .01). Whereas there were no significant differences in the mean time until a daily prednisolone dose <10 mg was reached, patients in group A2 more frequently required steroid-sparing agents (A1, 24%; A2, 56%; B, 24%; P = .04). |
2 |
| 86. Singhal M, Gupta P, Sharma A. Imaging in small and medium vessel vasculitis. [Review]. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. 22 Suppl 1:78-85, 2019 Jan.Int J Rheum Dis. 22 Suppl 1:78-85, 2019 Jan. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To discuss the role of current imaging modalities (predominantly computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) as well as individual disease entities in the groups of small and medium vessel vasculitis. |
No results stated. |
4 |
| 87. JCS Joint Working Group. Guidelines for diagnosis and management of cardiovascular sequelae in Kawasaki disease (JCS 2013). Digest version. Circ J 2014;78:2521-62. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
N/A |
No results stated. |
4 |
| 88. Singhal M, Gupta P, Sharma A, Lal A, Rathi M, Khandelwal N. Role of multidetector abdominal CT in the evaluation of abnormalities in polyarteritis nodosa. Clin Radiol. 71(3):222-7, 2016 Mar. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To discuss the role of current imaging modalities (predominantly computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) as well as individual disease entities in the groups of small and medium vessel vasculitis. |
No results stated. |
4 |
| 89. Heller MT, Shah A, Furlan A. MDCT of acute conditions affecting the mesenteric vasculature. [Review]. Clin Radiol. 69(7):765-72, 2014 Jul. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To illustrate and describe key MDCT findings of congenital, inflammatory, traumatic, infectious, and thromboembolic conditions affecting the mesenteric vasculature in adult patients. |
No results stated. |
4 |
| 90. Yong YR, Lath N, Cheah FK, Ng YL. Pictorial essay: Uncommon causes of coronary artery encasement. [Review]. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr. 10(5):424-9, 2016 Sep-Oct. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To present cases of non-atherosclerotic coronary artery encasement which were encountered in our institution, including malignant lymphoma, Erdheim-Chester disease, immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease and Polyarteritis Nodosa. |
No results stated. |
4 |
| 91. Pipitone NAM, Versari A, Salvarani C. Usefulness of PET in recognizing and managing vasculitides. [Review]. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 30(1):24-29, 2018 Jan. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To review the recent contributions to the scoring methods of PET in vasculitis as well as to its role in the diagnostic work-up. |
Both visual and semiquantitative scoring methods can be used to interpret PET scans. PET has been shown to be both sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of large-vessel vasculitis. In addition, it also has a role in predicting vascular complications. |
4 |
| 92. American College of Radiology. ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Radiation Dose Assessment Introduction. Available at: https://www.acr.org/-/media/ACR/Files/Appropriateness-Criteria/RadiationDoseAssessmentIntro.pdf. |
Review/Other-Dx |
N/A |
To provide evidence-based guidelines on exposure of patients to ionizing radiation. |
No abstract available. |
4 |
