Value of MRI in diagnosis of giant cell arteritis
- Author:
Syazarina Sharis Osman
;
Amin Ahem
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Neurology Asia
2012;17(4):369-372
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Giant-cell arteritis is an infl ammatory disease of blood vessels most commonly involving large and
medium arteries of the head, predominately the branches of the external carotid artery. It is a form
of vasculitis. Giant-cell arteritis of the temporal artery is referred to as “temporal arteritis”. Giant
cell arteritis is rare among Asians. Diagnosis is based on American College of Rheumatology (ACR)
classifi cation criteria for giant-cell arteritis with gold standard temporal artery biopsy.1
Blindness is a
feared complication, mostly caused by anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy. High-resolution magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) has started to play a role in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. Evidence
of arteritis involving the superfi cial temporal arteries with mural thickening and even the ophthalmic
arteries can be seen on MRI, which further increase the diagnostic confi dence prior to biopsy.2,3 Optic
perineuritis is a rare association with giant cell arteritis. MRI is required for diagnosis especially for
differentiation from optic neuritis.4 We report a case of giant cell arteritis with optic perineuritis to
demonstrate the role of MRI in the diagnosis.
- Full text:P020150710549190652591.pdf
