Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Extracranial Giant Cell Arteritis

• DOI: 10.1097/rhu.0b013e31822acec6
• Publication Date: 2012-12-20T11:38:24Z
• Authors: Marcel Koenigkam-...; Puneet Sharma; Bobby Kalb; John N. Oshinski; Cornelia M. Weyand; Jörg J. Goronzy; Diego R. Martin
• Keywords: Magnetic resonance angiography; Arteritis

Background: Noninvasive diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) remains challenging, particularly with regard to evaluation extracranial arterial disease. Objectives: The objective the study was retrospectively review involvement in patients GCA and/or polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), evaluated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), especially 3-dimensional contrast-enhanced angiography images aortic arch and its branches. Methods: Clinical information, biopsy status, MRI examinations 28 GCA/PMR were reviewed. Patient mixed randomly 20 normal control independently reviewed by 2 radiologists. Interobserver agreement for detection stenosis determined k coefficient. Results: Both readers described vascular alterations keeping 19 (67%) good interobserver (k = 0.73) even higher on diagnosing nonocclusive versus occlusive disease 1.00). most common lesions bilateral axillary or obstructions, observed both 8 (28%). Among subclavian/axillary arteries, 12 (75%) had biopsy-proven GCA, but only 5 (41%) these clinical features large artery Conclusions: In our series review, could provide accurate information branches depicting different degrees stenosis. Our analysis also illustrates that occult vasculitis should be considered without classic signs disease, initially diagnosed as having PMR.