Imaging of giant cell arteritis - recent advances

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Radiology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Giant cell arteritis (GCA) management increasingly relies on imaging.
• Ultrasound is a validated diagnostic tool for cranial GCA, complementing temporal artery biopsy.
• Whole-body PET/CT shows promise for detecting large vessel involvement in GCA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence on imaging modalities in GCA diagnosis and management.
• To explore the role of imaging in monitoring GCA disease activity.
• To discuss the use of imaging for long-term surveillance of GCA-related structural changes.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on GCA imaging.
• Analysis of diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound and PET/CT.
• Evaluation of imaging for disease activity monitoring and structural surveillance.

Main Results:

• Ultrasound is effective for cranial GCA diagnosis.
• PET/CT is emerging as a key tool for large vessel GCA.
• Discordance between imaging and clinical measures complicates disease activity monitoring.

Conclusions:

• Imaging is essential across the GCA care spectrum.
• Further research is needed to optimize imaging protocols for GCA monitoring and surveillance.
• Standardized imaging approaches are required for consistent GCA patient management.