How MRI spatial resolution affects detection of giant cell arteritis

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational imaging study compares several contrast-enhanced 3D T1-weighted MRI sequences (with fat saturation and black-blood technique) acquired at different spatial resolutions in adults referred for suspected giant cell arteritis. Patients undergo the routine injected MRI and images from each sequence are reviewed for vessel wall thickening, enhancement, and overall image quality. Diagnostic performance of the sequences will be compared against the referring clinician’s final diagnosis and available reference tests (clinical follow-up and/or biopsy when performed). The goal is to determine which spatial resolution provides the best balance of diagnostic accuracy and image quality in real-world practice.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient over 18 years of age
* Referred for imaging for an injected MRI for suspected GCA
* Suspicion of GCA based on the presence of three major criteria or two major and one minor criteria defined as follows:

  * Major criteria: Age \> 50 years; Headache of recent onset; Claudication of the jaw, tongue or swallowing disorders; Visual problems (blindness, diplopia, blurred vision - including visual accidents occurring during the first week of treatment); Sedimentation rate at 1st hour \> 50 and/or CRP \> 8mg/l
  * Minor criteria: Hypersensitivity or induration of the scalp or presence of nodules remote from the temporal artery; Temporal artery abnormalities on palpation; Facial pain or feeling of facial edema; General signs (fever \>38°C, weight loss \>10%, anorexia, malaise, asthenia).
* Cconsent to participate in the study
* Affiliated or beneficiary of a social security plan

Exclusion Criteria:

* Newly diagnosed malignant disease (diagnosed less than one year prior to inclusion)
* Active infectious disease
* Autoimmune disease (especially but not limited to: Wegener's disease, Takayasu vasculitis, ANCA vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, periarteritis nodosa).
* Systemic corticosteroid therapy for more than 10 days at high dose (\>0.5mg/kg/d of prednisone)
* Contraindication to MRI
* Patient benefiting from a legal protection measure
* Pregnant or breastfeeding woman

Where it's running

• Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild
  Paris, France Recruiting

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.