Skip to main content
Advertisement

Main menu

  • Home
  • Content
    • Current Issue
    • Accepted Manuscripts
    • Article Preview
    • Past Issue Archive
    • Video Articles
    • AJNR Case Collection
    • Case of the Week Archive
    • Case of the Month Archive
    • Classic Case Archive
  • Special Collections
    • AJNR Awards
    • Low-Field MRI
    • Alzheimer Disease
    • ASNR Foundation Special Collection
    • Photon-Counting CT
    • View All
  • Multimedia
    • AJNR Podcasts
    • AJNR SCANtastic
    • Trainee Corner
    • MRI Safety Corner
    • Imaging Protocols
  • For Authors
    • Submit a Manuscript
    • Submit a Video Article
    • Submit an eLetter to the Editor/Response
    • Manuscript Submission Guidelines
    • Statistical Tips
    • Fast Publishing of Accepted Manuscripts
    • Graphical Abstract Preparation
    • Imaging Protocol Submission
    • Author Policies
  • About Us
    • About AJNR
    • Editorial Board
    • Editorial Board Alumni
  • More
    • Become a Reviewer/Academy of Reviewers
    • Subscribers
    • Permissions
    • Alerts
    • Feedback
    • Advertisers
    • ASNR Home

User menu

  • Alerts
  • Log in

Search

  • Advanced search
American Journal of Neuroradiology
American Journal of Neuroradiology

American Journal of Neuroradiology

ASHNR American Society of Functional Neuroradiology ASHNR American Society of Pediatric Neuroradiology ASSR
  • Alerts
  • Log in

Advanced Search

  • Home
  • Content
    • Current Issue
    • Accepted Manuscripts
    • Article Preview
    • Past Issue Archive
    • Video Articles
    • AJNR Case Collection
    • Case of the Week Archive
    • Case of the Month Archive
    • Classic Case Archive
  • Special Collections
    • AJNR Awards
    • Low-Field MRI
    • Alzheimer Disease
    • ASNR Foundation Special Collection
    • Photon-Counting CT
    • View All
  • Multimedia
    • AJNR Podcasts
    • AJNR SCANtastic
    • Trainee Corner
    • MRI Safety Corner
    • Imaging Protocols
  • For Authors
    • Submit a Manuscript
    • Submit a Video Article
    • Submit an eLetter to the Editor/Response
    • Manuscript Submission Guidelines
    • Statistical Tips
    • Fast Publishing of Accepted Manuscripts
    • Graphical Abstract Preparation
    • Imaging Protocol Submission
    • Author Policies
  • About Us
    • About AJNR
    • Editorial Board
    • Editorial Board Alumni
  • More
    • Become a Reviewer/Academy of Reviewers
    • Subscribers
    • Permissions
    • Alerts
    • Feedback
    • Advertisers
    • ASNR Home
  • Follow AJNR on Twitter
  • Visit AJNR on Facebook
  • Follow AJNR on Instagram
  • Join AJNR on LinkedIn
  • RSS Feeds

AJNR Awards, New Junior Editors, and more. Read the latest AJNR updates

Review ArticleReview Article

Imaging Findings in Giant Cell Arteritis: Don’t Turn a Blind Eye to the Obvious!

Girish Bathla, Amit K. Agarwal, Steven A. Messina, David F. Black, Neetu Soni, Felix E. Diehn, Norbert G. Campeau, Vance T. Lehman, Kenneth J. Warrington, Rennie L. Rhee and Thorsten A. Bley
American Journal of Neuroradiology March 2025, 46 (3) 457-464; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A8388
Girish Bathla
aFrom the Department of Radiology (G.B., S.A.M., D.F.B., F.E.D., N.G.C., V.T.L.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Girish Bathla
Amit K. Agarwal
bDepartment of Radiology (A.K.A., N.S.), Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Amit K. Agarwal
Steven A. Messina
aFrom the Department of Radiology (G.B., S.A.M., D.F.B., F.E.D., N.G.C., V.T.L.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Steven A. Messina
David F. Black
aFrom the Department of Radiology (G.B., S.A.M., D.F.B., F.E.D., N.G.C., V.T.L.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for David F. Black
Neetu Soni
bDepartment of Radiology (A.K.A., N.S.), Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Neetu Soni
Felix E. Diehn
aFrom the Department of Radiology (G.B., S.A.M., D.F.B., F.E.D., N.G.C., V.T.L.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Felix E. Diehn
Norbert G. Campeau
aFrom the Department of Radiology (G.B., S.A.M., D.F.B., F.E.D., N.G.C., V.T.L.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Norbert G. Campeau
Vance T. Lehman
aFrom the Department of Radiology (G.B., S.A.M., D.F.B., F.E.D., N.G.C., V.T.L.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Vance T. Lehman
Kenneth J. Warrington
cDepartment of Internal Medicine (Rheumatology) (K.J.W.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Rennie L. Rhee
dDepartment of Medicine/Rheumatology (R.L.R.), Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Thorsten A. Bley
eDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (T.A.B.), University Medical Center Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • Figures & Data
  • Supplemental
  • Info & Metrics
  • Responses
  • References
  • PDF
Loading

References

  1. 1.↵
    1. Klink T,
    2. Geiger J,
    3. Both M, et al
    . Giant cell arteritis: diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging of superficial cranial arteries in initial diagnosis—results from a multicenter trial. Radiology 2014;273:844–52 doi:10.1148/radiol.14140056 pmid:25102371
    CrossRefPubMed
  2. 2.↵
    1. Jennette JC,
    2. Falk RJ,
    3. Bacon PA, et al
    . 2012 revised international Chapel Hill consensus conference nomenclature of vasculitides. Arthritis Rheum 2013;65:1–11 doi:10.1002/art.37715 pmid:23045170
    CrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  3. 3.↵
    1. Prieto-Peña D,
    2. Castaneda S,
    3. Martinez-Rodriguez I, et al
    . Imaging tests in the early diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. J Clin Med 2021;10:3704 doi:10.3390/jcm10163704
    CrossRefPubMed
  4. 4.↵
    1. Younger DS
    . Giant cell arteritis. Neurol Clin 2019;37:335–44 doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2019.01.008 pmid:30952412
    CrossRefPubMed
  5. 5.↵
    1. Zhang KJ,
    2. Li MX,
    3. Zhang P, et al
    . Validity of high resolution magnetic resonance imaging in detecting giant cell arteritis: a meta-analysis. Eur Radiology 2022;32:3541–52 doi:10.1007/s00330-021-08413-8 pmid:35015125
    CrossRefPubMed
  6. 6.↵
    1. Veldhoen S,
    2. Klink T,
    3. Geiger J, et al
    . MRI displays involvement of the temporalis muscle and the deep temporal artery in patients with giant cell arteritis. Eur Radiology 2014;24:2971–79 doi:10.1007/s00330-014-3255-1 pmid:24895039
    CrossRefPubMed
  7. 7.↵
    1. Pugh D,
    2. Karabayas M,
    3. Basu N, et al
    . Large-vessel vasculitis. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2022;7:93 doi:10.1038/s41572-021-00327-5 pmid:34992251
    CrossRefPubMed
  8. 8.↵
    1. Ameer MA,
    2. Vaqar S,
    3. Khazaeni B
    . Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis). In: StatPearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; May 2, 2024
  9. 9.↵
    1. Carmona FD,
    2. Vaglio A,
    3. Mackie SL
    ; Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium, et al. A genome-wide association study identifies risk alleles in plasminogen and P4HA2 associated with giant cell arteritis. Am J Hum Genet 2017;100:64–74 doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.11.013 pmid:28041642
    CrossRefPubMed
  10. 10.↵
    1. Jese R,
    2. Rotar Z,
    3. Tomsic M, et al
    . The role of colour Doppler ultrasonography of facial and occipital arteries in patients with giant cell arteritis: a prospective study. Eur J Radiology 2017;95:9–12 doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2017.07.007 pmid:28987704
    CrossRefPubMed
  11. 11.↵
    1. Muratore F,
    2. Kermani TA,
    3. Crowson CS, et al
    . Large-vessel giant cell arteritis: a cohort study. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2015;54:463–70 doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keu329 pmid:25193809
    CrossRefPubMed
  12. 12.↵
    1. Ponte C,
    2. Grayson PC,
    3. Robson JC
    ; DCVAS Study Group, et al. 2022 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR classification criteria for giant cell arteritis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2022;74:1881–89 doi:10.1002/art.42325 pmid:36350123
    CrossRefPubMed
  13. 13.↵
    1. Guggenberger KV,
    2. Vogt ML,
    3. Song JW, et al
    . High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging visualizes intracranial large artery involvement in giant cell arteritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2024:keae010 doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keae010
    CrossRef
  14. 14.↵
    1. Dejaco C,
    2. Ramiro S,
    3. Bond M, et al
    . EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging in large vessel vasculitis in clinical practice: 2023 update. Ann Rheum Dis 2023;83:741–51 doi:10.1136/ard-2023-224543 pmid:37550004
    Abstract/FREE Full Text
  15. 15.↵
    1. Bosch P,
    2. Bond M,
    3. Dejaco C, et al
    . Imaging in diagnosis, monitoring and outcome prediction of large vessel vasculitis: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis informing the 2023 update of the EULAR recommendations. RMD Open 2023;9: e003379 doi:10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003379
    Abstract/FREE Full Text
  16. 16.↵
    1. Yip A,
    2. Jernberg ET,
    3. Bardi M, et al
    . Magnetic resonance imaging compared to ultrasonography in giant cell arteritis: a cross-sectional study. Arthritis Res Ther 2020;22:247 doi:10.1186/s13075-020-02335-4 pmid:33076985
    CrossRefPubMed
  17. 17.↵
    1. Poillon G,
    2. Collin A,
    3. Benhamou Y, et al
    . Increased diagnostic accuracy of giant cell arteritis using three-dimensional fat-saturated contrast-enhanced vessel-wall magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T. Eur Radiology 2020;30:1866–75 doi:10.1007/s00330-019-06536-7 pmid:31811430
    CrossRefPubMed
  18. 18.↵
    1. Siemonsen S,
    2. Brekenfeld C,
    3. Holst B, et al
    . 3T MRI reveals extra- and intracranial involvement in giant cell arteritis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2015;36:91–97 doi:10.3174/ajnr.A4086 pmid:25169925
    Abstract/FREE Full Text
  19. 19.↵
    1. Seitz L,
    2. Bucher S,
    3. Butikofer L, et al
    . Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis—a comparison with T1-weighted black-blood imaging. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023:63(5):1403–10
  20. 20.↵
    1. Rheaume M,
    2. Rebello R,
    3. Pagnoux C, et al
    . High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of scalp arteries for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis: results of a prospective cohort study. Arthritis Rheumatol 2017;69:161–68 doi:10.1002/art.39824 pmid:27483045
    CrossRefPubMed
  21. 21.↵
    1. Donaldson L,
    2. Nanji K,
    3. Rebello R, et al
    . Involvement of the intracranial circulation in giant cell arteritis. Can J Ophthalmol 2020;55:391–400 doi:10.1016/j.jcjo.2020.04.002 pmid:32416931
    CrossRefPubMed
  22. 22.↵
    1. Conway R,
    2. Smyth AE,
    3. Kavanagh RG, et al
    . Diagnostic utility of computed tomographic angiography in giant-cell arteritis. Stroke 2018;49:2233–36 doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.021995 pmid:30354972
    CrossRefPubMed
  23. 23.↵
    1. Nielsen BD,
    2. Hansen IT,
    3. Kramer S, et al
    . Simple dichotomous assessment of cranial artery inflammation by conventional 18F-FDG PET/CT shows high accuracy for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis: a case-control study. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2019;46:184–93 doi:10.1007/s00259-018-4106-0 pmid:30066157
    CrossRefPubMed
  24. 24.↵
    1. Koster MJ,
    2. Matteson EL,
    3. Warrington KJ
    . Large-vessel giant cell arteritis: diagnosis, monitoring and management. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018;57:ii32–42 doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kex424 pmid:29982778
    CrossRefPubMed
  25. 25.↵
    1. Kermani TA,
    2. Diab S,
    3. Sreih AG
    ; Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium, et al. Arterial lesions in giant cell arteritis: a longitudinal study. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2019;48:707–13 doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2018.05.002 pmid:29880442
    CrossRefPubMed
  26. 26.↵
    1. Espitia O,
    2. Blonz G,
    3. Urbanski G
    ; French Study Group for Large Vessel Vasculitis (GEFA), et al. Symptomatic aortitis at giant cell arteritis diagnosis: a prognostic factor of aortic event. Arthritis Res Ther 2021;23:14 doi:10.1186/s13075-020-02396-5 pmid:33413605
    CrossRefPubMed
  27. 27.↵
    1. Quinn KA,
    2. Ahlman MA,
    3. Malayeri AA, et al
    . Comparison of magnetic resonance angiography and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in large-vessel vasculitis. Ann Rheum Dis 2018;77:1165–71 doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-213102 pmid:29666047
    CrossRefPubMed
  28. 28.↵
    1. Guggenberger KV,
    2. Vogt ML,
    3. Song JW, et al
    . Intraorbital findings in giant cell arteritis on black blood MRI. Eur Radiology 2023;33:2529–35 doi:10.1007/s00330-022-09256-7 pmid:36394601
    CrossRefPubMed
  29. 29.↵
    1. Gospe SM 3rd.,
    2. Amrhein TJ,
    3. Malinzak MD, et al
    . Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities of the optic nerve sheath and intracranial internal carotid artery in giant cell arteritis. J Neuroophthalmol 2021;41:54–59 doi:10.1097/WNO.0000000000000860 pmid:31609845
    CrossRefPubMed
  30. 30.↵
    1. Sommer NN,
    2. Treitl KM,
    3. Coppenrath E, et al
    . Three-dimensional high-resolution black-blood magnetic resonance imaging for detection of arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in patients with giant cell arteritis. Invest Radiology 2018;53:698–704 doi:10.1097/RLI.0000000000000500 pmid:30095558
    CrossRefPubMed
  31. 31.↵
    1. Mohammed-Brahim N,
    2. Clavel G,
    3. Charbonneau F, et al
    . Three Tesla 3D high-resolution vessel wall MRI of the orbit may differentiate arteritic from nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Invest Radiology 2019;54:712–18 doi:10.1097/RLI.0000000000000595 pmid:31335635
    CrossRefPubMed
  32. 32.↵
    1. Remond P,
    2. Attye A,
    3. Lecler A, et al
    . The central bright spot sign: a potential new MR imaging sign for the early diagnosis of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy due to giant cell arteritis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2017;38:1411–15 doi:10.3174/ajnr.A5205 pmid:28495949
    Abstract/FREE Full Text
  33. 33.↵
    1. Therkildsen P,
    2. de Thurah A,
    3. Hansen IT, et al
    . Giant cell arteritis: a nationwide, population-based cohort study on incidence, diagnostic imaging, and glucocorticoid treatment. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2021;51:360–66 doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2021.01.007 pmid:33601192
    CrossRefPubMed
  34. 34.↵
    1. Reichenbach S,
    2. Adler S,
    3. Bonel H, et al
    . Magnetic resonance angiography in giant cell arteritis: results of a randomized controlled trial of tocilizumab in giant cell arteritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018;57:982–86 doi:10.1093/rheumatology/key015 pmid:29529280
    CrossRefPubMed
  35. 35.↵
    1. Seitz L,
    2. Christ L,
    3. Lotscher F, et al
    . Quantitative ultrasound to monitor the vascular response to tocilizumab in giant cell arteritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021;60:5052–59 doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keab484 pmid:34117737
    CrossRefPubMed
  36. 36.↵
    1. Moreel L,
    2. Betrains A,
    3. Doumen M, et al
    . Diagnostic yield of combined cranial and large vessel PET/CT, ultrasound and MRI in giant cell arteritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Autoimmun Rev 2023;22:103355 doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103355 pmid:37146926
    CrossRefPubMed
  37. 37.↵
    1. Ing EB,
    2. Miller NR,
    3. Nguyen A, et al
    . Neural network and logistic regression diagnostic prediction models for giant cell arteritis: development and validation. Clin Ophthalmol 2019;13:421–30 doi:10.2147/OPTH.S193460 pmid:30863010
    CrossRefPubMed
  38. 38.↵
    1. Roncato C,
    2. Perez L,
    3. Brochet-Guegan A, et al
    . Colour Doppler ultrasound of temporal arteries for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis: a multicentre deep learning study. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2020;38 Suppl 124:120–25 pmid:32441644
    PubMed
PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

American Journal of Neuroradiology: 46 (3)
American Journal of Neuroradiology
Vol. 46, Issue 3
1 Mar 2025
  • Table of Contents
  • Index by author
  • Complete Issue (PDF)
Advertisement
Print
Download PDF
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on American Journal of Neuroradiology.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Imaging Findings in Giant Cell Arteritis: Don’t Turn a Blind Eye to the Obvious!
(Your Name) has sent you a message from American Journal of Neuroradiology
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the American Journal of Neuroradiology web site.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Cite this article
Girish Bathla, Amit K. Agarwal, Steven A. Messina, David F. Black, Neetu Soni, Felix E. Diehn, Norbert G. Campeau, Vance T. Lehman, Kenneth J. Warrington, Rennie L. Rhee, Thorsten A. Bley
Imaging Findings in Giant Cell Arteritis: Don’t Turn a Blind Eye to the Obvious!
American Journal of Neuroradiology Mar 2025, 46 (3) 457-464; DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A8388

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
0 Responses
Respond to this article
Share
Bookmark this article
Giant Cell Arteritis: Important Imaging Findings
Girish Bathla, Amit K. Agarwal, Steven A. Messina, David F. Black, Neetu Soni, Felix E. Diehn, Norbert G. Campeau, Vance T. Lehman, Kenneth J. Warrington, Rennie L. Rhee, Thorsten A. Bley
American Journal of Neuroradiology Mar 2025, 46 (3) 457-464; DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A8388
del.icio.us logo Twitter logo Facebook logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One
Purchase

Jump to section

  • Article
    • Graphical Abstract
    • SUMMARY:
    • ABBREVIATIONS:
    • VASCULAR FINDINGS IN CRANIAL GCA
    • CONCLUSIONS
    • Footnotes
    • References
  • Figures & Data
  • Supplemental
  • Info & Metrics
  • Responses
  • References
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • PubMed
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • No citing articles found.
  • Crossref
  • Google Scholar

This article has not yet been cited by articles in journals that are participating in Crossref Cited-by Linking.

More in this TOC Section

  • DCE MRI in Spinal Disease Assessment
  • Cerebrovascular Anomalies in Fetal Imaging
Show more Review Article

Similar Articles

Advertisement

Indexed Content

  • Current Issue
  • Accepted Manuscripts
  • Article Preview
  • Past Issues
  • Editorials
  • Editor's Choice
  • Fellows' Journal Club
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Video Articles

Cases

  • Case Collection
  • Archive - Case of the Week
  • Archive - Case of the Month
  • Archive - Classic Case

More from AJNR

  • Trainee Corner
  • Imaging Protocols
  • MRI Safety Corner
  • Book Reviews

Multimedia

  • AJNR Podcasts
  • AJNR Scantastics

Resources

  • Turnaround Time
  • Submit a Manuscript
  • Submit a Video Article
  • Submit an eLetter to the Editor/Response
  • Manuscript Submission Guidelines
  • Statistical Tips
  • Fast Publishing of Accepted Manuscripts
  • Graphical Abstract Preparation
  • Imaging Protocol Submission
  • Evidence-Based Medicine Level Guide
  • Publishing Checklists
  • Author Policies
  • Become a Reviewer/Academy of Reviewers
  • News and Updates

About Us

  • About AJNR
  • Editorial Board
  • Editorial Board Alumni
  • Alerts
  • Permissions
  • Not an AJNR Subscriber? Join Now
  • Advertise with Us
  • Librarian Resources
  • Feedback
  • Terms and Conditions
  • AJNR Editorial Board Alumni

American Society of Neuroradiology

  • Not an ASNR Member? Join Now

© 2025 by the American Society of Neuroradiology All rights, including for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved.
Print ISSN: 0195-6108 Online ISSN: 1936-959X

Powered by HighWire