Abstract

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis are the two main forms of large vessel vasculitides (LVV) predominantly affecting the large and medium vessels. GCA is the most common form of systemic vasculitis.

Studies have shown that ultrasound yields a high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnostics of GCA, and that it could also be useful as follow up tool. In coronary syndromes, the presence of increased carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) and plaques in the carotid or femoral arteries have been correlated with classic risk factors and coronary risk. Yet, in LVV, no studies exist regarding increased IMT due to vasculitis and its influence on disease activity and prognosis. Possible explanations include the lack of definitions on angiopathology, technique standardization and of a widely acknowledged scoring system. Recently, an OMERACT group on ultrasound in LVV introduced definitions on both vasculitic lesions and atherosclerosis.

This session aims to present: 1. An overview and demonstration of the ultrasonographic definitions of vasculitis, 2. Considerations around potential scoring systems.