Temporal ultra sound

[Pierpoint1]

Following my recent post, have had a phone call from rheumatologist, going for a temporal ultra sound tommorrow then on to see him, Are these reliable Thankyou

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Yes,

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

There is of course some dispute but in the hands of a decent operator, it is just as good and since it can be used for the subclavian and brachial arteries as well it has some advantages.

The problem arises if the patient's GCA hasn't settled in the arteries that are accessible - but exactly the same applies for the temporal artery biopsy so it isn't 100% definitive either.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Certainly worth a try.. and better than an invasive TAB

[Rugger]

Last year I was a 'subject' on a training day for Health Professionals, in the technique using ultrasound for diagnosing GCA. They certainly picked up the changes in my arteries, still there from 2019 when I was diagnosed by PET-CT scan. I was very impressed and it was non-invasive. I was scanned numerous times over 2+ hours! All the best to you.

[SheffieldJane]

My GCA /LVV was diagnosed by a skilled Vascular operator using an ultrasound scan. The abnormal cells were found in my left armpit. A biopsy would have said that a biopsy was negative. It’s just like a pregnancy scan, with gel and a wand and a screen. I was immediately put on 40 mgs of Pred. So far my temples and eyes are fine, I have my eye health checked every few months. It can spread to the more common cranial areas ie temples and eyes. So far I’ve been fortunate and under treatment Pred and Actemra/ Tocilizumab.

[Rugger]

Let us know how you got on.