Color duplex ultrasonography findings of temporal arteries in a case of giant cell arteritis: role in diagnosis and follow-up

Abstract

Antonella Laria, Alfredo Lurati, Magda Scarpellini Fornaroli Hospital, Rheumatology Unit, Magenta, Italy Abstract: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects medium- and large-sized arteries. The diagnostic gold standard is the temporal artery biopsy, but it has limited sensitivity and some difficulties in reproducibility. Color duplex ultrasonography is a noninvasive, reproducible, and inexpensive method for diagnosis of temporal arteries involvement (temporal arteritis [TA]) in GCA with high sensitivity and specificity. We present the ultrasound findings at baseline and during follow-up in a case of TA in a patient with GCA. Keywords: color duplex ultrasonography, temporal arteries, halo sign, temporal arteritis, GCA

Keywords

• Color duplex ultrasonography (CDU)
• Temporal arteries
• Halo sign
• Temporal arteritis (TA)
• giant cell arteritis (GCA)