Impact of cardiovascular risk on the diagnostic accuracy of the ultrasound Halo Score for giant cell arteritis.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of cardiovascular risk (CVR) on the diagnostic accuracy of the ultrasonographic (US) Halo Score in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: Retrospective observational study of patients referred to our US fast track clinic with suspected GCA for a 2-year period. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of cranial and extra-cranial arteries and the Halo Score was determined to assess the extent of vascular inflammation.

Ultrasound intima media thickness cut-off values for cranial and extracranial arteries in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis.

Objective: To determine the optimal ultrasound (US) cut-off values for cranial and extracranial arteries intima media thickness (IMT) to discriminate between patients with and without giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: Retrospective observational study including patients referred to an US fast-track clinic. All patients underwent bilateral US examination of the cranial and extracranial arteries including the IMT measurement.

Ultrasound in clinically suspect arthralgia: the role of power Doppler to predict rheumatoid arthritis development.

Objective: To determine the usefulness of power Doppler (PD) ultrasound (US) to predict rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development in patients with clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of a US unit cohort over a 1-year period. Patients with CSA and no previous diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis (IA) were included for analysis.