Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Longitudinal changes on cranial magnetic resonance imaging in relapsing giant cell arteritis
Authors' conclusion
During relapse of cranial GCA, increased contrast enhancement of cranial structures is observed on vw-MRI even when APR levels remained normal.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with active giant cell arteritis (GCA)
- Participants
- 14 patients
- Exposure
- Changes in vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (vw-MRI) enhancement during cranial/ocular relapse vs polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) relapse vs sustained remission
- Cranial or ocular relapsen = 4
- PMR relapsen = 2
- Sustained remissionn = 8reference
- Outcome
- Change in cranial vw-MRI enhancement scores compared with clinical disease activity and APR
Methodological detailslongitudinal, serial cranial vessel wall MRI at enrollment and months 1, 6 and 12 and at suspected relapse
- Longitudinal
- Serial cranial vessel wall MRI at enrollment and months 1, 6 and 12 and at suspected relapse
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
vw-MRI enhancement on follow-up
| Group | Value | Increased enhancement in ≥1 cranial structure | Persistent but not increased enhancement | Decreased or normal enhancement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cranial or ocular relapse | 4 events | 4 of 4 | ||
| PMR relapse | 2 events | 2 | ||
| Sustained remission | 7 events | 7 of 8 |
Value
Cranial or ocular relapse4 events
PMR relapse2 events
Sustained remission7 events
Increased enhancement in ≥1 cranial structure
Cranial or ocular relapse4 of 4
PMR relapse— not stated in the abstract
Sustained remission— not stated in the abstract
Persistent but not increased enhancement
Cranial or ocular relapse— not stated in the abstract
PMR relapse2
Sustained remission— not stated in the abstract
Decreased or normal enhancement
Cranial or ocular relapse— not stated in the abstract
PMR relapse— not stated in the abstract
Sustained remission7 of 8
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- APR levels remained normal in most relapses, likely impacted by use of tocilizumab
Original publication
Longitudinal changes on cranial magnetic resonance imaging in relapsing giant cell arteritis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 14 August 2025. doi:10.
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