Reviews
Vascular imaging as an endpoint in clinical trials of giant cell arteritis
D. Michailidou1, C. Dejaco2, M. Ahlman3, H. Baradaran4, K.S. Van Der Geest5
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA. dm4119@cumc.columbia.edu
- Department of Rheumatology, Medical University of Graz, Austria; and Department of Rheumatology, Brunico Hospital (SABES-ASAA), Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus University, Brunico, Italy.
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.
CER19635
2026 Vol.44, N°4
PI 0836, PF 0846
Reviews
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PMID: 42018344 [PubMed]
Received: 24/12/2025
Accepted : 16/03/2026
In Press: 10/04/2026
Published: 22/04/2026
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a form of large vessel vasculitis that can affect the head and/or neck vessels as well as the aorta and its major branches. Vascular imaging techniques like 18Ffluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and ultrasound (US) are gaining significant attention as potential endpoints in clinical trials of GCA. Imaging is crucial not only for diagnostic purposes, but also for potential accurate and reliable assessment of disease activity, especially when evaluating treatment response to novel targeted therapies in GCA. Imaging scoring systems can assist with tracking changes in vascular inflammation and damage over time. Vascular imaging is also a valuable tool for detection of subclinical inflammation and/or vascular remodelling that is not possible with clinical assessment. Furthermore, vascular imaging might predict angiographic progression. In this article, we review the utility of vascular imaging as an endpoint in GCA clinical trials highlighting the challenges that are associated with its application.
