Imaging in diagnosis, outcome prediction and monitoring of large vessel vasculitis: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis informing the EULAR recommendations

Christina Duftner, Christian Dejaco, Alexandre Sepriano, Louise Falzon, Wolfgang Andreas Schmidt, Sofia Ramiro

Research output: Contribution to journalReview article

26 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Objectives: 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.

Methods: Systematic literature review (until 10 March 2017) of diagnostic and prognostic studies enrolling >20 patients and investigating ultrasound, MRI, CT or positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with suspected and/or established primary LVV. Meta-analyses were conducted, whenever possible, obtaining pooled estimates for sensitivity and specificity by fitting random effects models.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: Ultrasound and MRI provide a high diagnostic value for cranial GCA. More data on the role of imaging for diagnosis of extracranial large vessel GCA and TAK, as well as for outcome prediction and monitoring in LVV are warranted.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere000612
JournalBMJ Open
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2018

Fingerprint

Giant Cell Arteritis
Vasculitis
Meta-Analysis
Takayasu Arteritis
Temporal Arteries
Positron-Emission Tomography
Sensitivity and Specificity
Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Arteries
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Biopsy

Keywords

  • giant cell arteritis
  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • ultrasonography

Cite this

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title = "Imaging in diagnosis, outcome prediction and monitoring of large vessel vasculitis: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis informing the EULAR recommendations",
abstract = "Objectives: 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.Methods: Systematic literature review (until 10 March 2017) of diagnostic and prognostic studies enrolling >20 patients and investigating ultrasound, MRI, CT or positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with suspected and/or established primary LVV. Meta-analyses were conducted, whenever possible, obtaining pooled estimates for sensitivity and specificity by fitting random effects models.Results: 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.Conclusions: Ultrasound and MRI provide a high diagnostic value for cranial GCA. More data on the role of imaging for diagnosis of extracranial large vessel GCA and TAK, as well as for outcome prediction and monitoring in LVV are warranted.",
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author = "Christina Duftner and Christian Dejaco and Alexandre Sepriano and Louise Falzon and Schmidt, {Wolfgang Andreas} and Sofia Ramiro",
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language = "English",
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Imaging in diagnosis, outcome prediction and monitoring of large vessel vasculitis : a systematic literature review and meta-analysis informing the EULAR recommendations. / Duftner, Christina; Dejaco, Christian; Sepriano, Alexandre; Falzon, Louise; Schmidt, Wolfgang Andreas; Ramiro, Sofia.

In: BMJ Open, Vol. 4, No. 1, e000612, 01.2018.

Research output: Contribution to journalReview article

TY - JOUR

T1 - Imaging in diagnosis, outcome prediction and monitoring of large vessel vasculitis

T2 - a systematic literature review and meta-analysis informing the EULAR recommendations

AU - Duftner, Christina

AU - Dejaco, Christian

AU - Sepriano, Alexandre

AU - Falzon, Louise

AU - Schmidt, Wolfgang Andreas

AU - Ramiro, Sofia

PY - 2018/1

Y1 - 2018/1

N2 - Objectives: 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.Methods: Systematic literature review (until 10 March 2017) of diagnostic and prognostic studies enrolling >20 patients and investigating ultrasound, MRI, CT or positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with suspected and/or established primary LVV. Meta-analyses were conducted, whenever possible, obtaining pooled estimates for sensitivity and specificity by fitting random effects models.Results: 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.Conclusions: Ultrasound and MRI provide a high diagnostic value for cranial GCA. More data on the role of imaging for diagnosis of extracranial large vessel GCA and TAK, as well as for outcome prediction and monitoring in LVV are warranted.

AB - Objectives: 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.Methods: Systematic literature review (until 10 March 2017) of diagnostic and prognostic studies enrolling >20 patients and investigating ultrasound, MRI, CT or positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with suspected and/or established primary LVV. Meta-analyses were conducted, whenever possible, obtaining pooled estimates for sensitivity and specificity by fitting random effects models.Results: 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.Conclusions: Ultrasound and MRI provide a high diagnostic value for cranial GCA. More data on the role of imaging for diagnosis of extracranial large vessel GCA and TAK, as well as for outcome prediction and monitoring in LVV are warranted.

KW - giant cell arteritis

KW - magnetic resonance imaging

KW - ultrasonography

U2 - 10.1136/rmdopen-2017-000612

DO - 10.1136/rmdopen-2017-000612

M3 - Review article

VL - 4

JO - RMD Open

JF - RMD Open

SN - 2044-6055

IS - 1

M1 - e000612

ER -