Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Impact of ultrasound limitation to assess aortitis in patients with giant cell arteritis: comparative study with FDG-PET/CT
Authors' conclusion
FDG-PET/CT can detect aortitis in one out of every three patients with US-proven GCA. However, a negative US examination for LV-GCA suggests a low risk of aortitis.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with ultrasound (US)-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) referred to US fast-track clinics at two academic centres over 4 years who underwent FDG-PET/CTof 186 with US-proven GCA
- Participants
- 72 patients
- Exposure
- Aortitis vs no aortitis on FDG-PET/CT in US-proven GCA
- Aortitisn = 24
- Outcome
- Aortitis on FDG-PET/CT and its detection by US
Methodological detailstwo academic centres, US fast-track clinics
- Two academic centres
- US fast-track clinics
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Positive FDG-PET/CT
29
40.3%
Aortitis
24
33.3%
Positive FDG-PET/CT with negative US for LV-GCA
6
20.7%
Aortitis with negative US for LV-GCA
2
8.3%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Female sex
P = 0.002
Positive TA US
P < 0.001
LV US involvement
P < 0.001
Visual symptoms
P = 0.001
| Outcome | Aortitis | No aortitis | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 68.9 | 81 | P < 0.001 |
| Platelet count | 413.4 | 311.1 | P = 0014 |
Original publication
Impact of ultrasound limitation to assess aortitis in patients with giant cell arteritis: comparative study with FDG-PET/CT. RMD Open. Published 18 August 2023. doi:10.
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