Clinical, laboratory, and orbital imaging features of giant cell arteritis in comparison to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropath: a single center case series

BackgroundGiant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis in patients older than 50 years and is considered a “do not miss” diagnosis. However, it remains a diagnostic challenge given overlapping clinical syndromes such as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and poorly...

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Main Authors: Rami W. Eldaya, Yi-Hsien Yeh, Leanne Stunkel, Matthew S. Parsons, Gregory P. Van Stavern
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Ophthalmology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fopht.2024.1498968/full
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author Rami W. Eldaya
Yi-Hsien Yeh
Leanne Stunkel
Leanne Stunkel
Matthew S. Parsons
Gregory P. Van Stavern
Gregory P. Van Stavern
author_facet Rami W. Eldaya
Yi-Hsien Yeh
Leanne Stunkel
Leanne Stunkel
Matthew S. Parsons
Gregory P. Van Stavern
Gregory P. Van Stavern
author_sort Rami W. Eldaya
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundGiant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis in patients older than 50 years and is considered a “do not miss” diagnosis. However, it remains a diagnostic challenge given overlapping clinical syndromes such as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and poorly explored imaging findings.Materials and methodsIn this retrospective study between the time period of January 2013 and December 2021, a total of 13 consecutive patients with a pathological diagnosis of GCA and 8 patients with clinical diagnosis of NAION were isolated. Demographic and clinical data for each patient were collected, including pertinent laboratory data. Pertinent physical exam data was also collected, including fundoscopic exam and visual acuity. Two neuroradiologist assessed the orbital MRI imaging findings of GCA and NAION for the presence and characterization of imaging abnormalities. Assessment for potential relationship between GCA orbital findings, laboratory and visual outcomes was performed. Finally, comparison between GCA and NAION imaging findings was performed.Results13 GCA patients were assessed. 9 patients had abnormal orbital findings. Of these 8 patients had bilateral orbital involvement The most common imaging findings was perineuritis of the optic nerve sheath, present in 7 patients. In total, 8 NAION patients were assessed. All patients demonstrate optic nerve involvement. The Snellen test was converted to logmar, and visual acuity was assessed for both NAION and GCA for each eye at diagnosis and at the last follow-up. There was no statistical significance for either eye for both GCA and NAION at initial diagnosis and final follow-up. In the 4 GCA patients with normal MRI findings and 9 GCA patients with abnormal MRI findings, there was no statistical significance between initial presentation and final follow-up visual acuity.ConclusionGCA and NAION are potentially overlapping clinical syndromes with different treatment approach and poorly explored imaging findings. Our case series assesses the orbital imaging findings of both syndromes while noting different imaging pattern of both on MRI, which can serve as a potential tool to aid in diagnosis of both. 
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spelling doaj-art-81fed47aeef04fb0a94dcbfc7c14580c2024-12-24T06:36:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Ophthalmology2674-08262024-12-01410.3389/fopht.2024.14989681498968Clinical, laboratory, and orbital imaging features of giant cell arteritis in comparison to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropath: a single center case seriesRami W. Eldaya0Yi-Hsien Yeh1Leanne Stunkel2Leanne Stunkel3Matthew S. Parsons4Gregory P. Van Stavern5Gregory P. Van Stavern6Department of Neuroradiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United StatesDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United StatesDepartment of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO, United StatesDepartment of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United StatesMallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United StatesDepartment of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO, United StatesDepartment of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United StatesBackgroundGiant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis in patients older than 50 years and is considered a “do not miss” diagnosis. However, it remains a diagnostic challenge given overlapping clinical syndromes such as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and poorly explored imaging findings.Materials and methodsIn this retrospective study between the time period of January 2013 and December 2021, a total of 13 consecutive patients with a pathological diagnosis of GCA and 8 patients with clinical diagnosis of NAION were isolated. Demographic and clinical data for each patient were collected, including pertinent laboratory data. Pertinent physical exam data was also collected, including fundoscopic exam and visual acuity. Two neuroradiologist assessed the orbital MRI imaging findings of GCA and NAION for the presence and characterization of imaging abnormalities. Assessment for potential relationship between GCA orbital findings, laboratory and visual outcomes was performed. Finally, comparison between GCA and NAION imaging findings was performed.Results13 GCA patients were assessed. 9 patients had abnormal orbital findings. Of these 8 patients had bilateral orbital involvement The most common imaging findings was perineuritis of the optic nerve sheath, present in 7 patients. In total, 8 NAION patients were assessed. All patients demonstrate optic nerve involvement. The Snellen test was converted to logmar, and visual acuity was assessed for both NAION and GCA for each eye at diagnosis and at the last follow-up. There was no statistical significance for either eye for both GCA and NAION at initial diagnosis and final follow-up. In the 4 GCA patients with normal MRI findings and 9 GCA patients with abnormal MRI findings, there was no statistical significance between initial presentation and final follow-up visual acuity.ConclusionGCA and NAION are potentially overlapping clinical syndromes with different treatment approach and poorly explored imaging findings. Our case series assesses the orbital imaging findings of both syndromes while noting different imaging pattern of both on MRI, which can serve as a potential tool to aid in diagnosis of both. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fopht.2024.1498968/fullMRIgiant cell (temporal) arteritisNAIONoptic nerve (ON)optic neuritis (ON)
spellingShingle Rami W. Eldaya
Yi-Hsien Yeh
Leanne Stunkel
Leanne Stunkel
Matthew S. Parsons
Gregory P. Van Stavern
Gregory P. Van Stavern
Clinical, laboratory, and orbital imaging features of giant cell arteritis in comparison to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropath: a single center case series
Frontiers in Ophthalmology
MRI
giant cell (temporal) arteritis
NAION
optic nerve (ON)
optic neuritis (ON)
title Clinical, laboratory, and orbital imaging features of giant cell arteritis in comparison to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropath: a single center case series
title_full Clinical, laboratory, and orbital imaging features of giant cell arteritis in comparison to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropath: a single center case series
title_fullStr Clinical, laboratory, and orbital imaging features of giant cell arteritis in comparison to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropath: a single center case series
title_full_unstemmed Clinical, laboratory, and orbital imaging features of giant cell arteritis in comparison to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropath: a single center case series
title_short Clinical, laboratory, and orbital imaging features of giant cell arteritis in comparison to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropath: a single center case series
title_sort clinical laboratory and orbital imaging features of giant cell arteritis in comparison to non arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropath a single center case series
topic MRI
giant cell (temporal) arteritis
NAION
optic nerve (ON)
optic neuritis (ON)
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fopht.2024.1498968/full
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