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GCA Vascular Surveillance — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

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HardVasculitisGCA Vascular SurveillanceSCE Rheumatology

A patient with treated giant cell arteritis is found to have a thoracic aortic aneurysm. What follow-up principle is appropriate?

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Correct answer: E — Serial CT or MR angiography at an individually selected interval

Once structural aortic disease is identified, follow-up is individualised with cross-sectional angiography and vascular/cardiology input. Acute-phase markers do not measure aneurysm size, and neither repeat temporal biopsy nor routine monthly PET-CT is appropriate.

Reference: BSR guideline on diagnosis and treatment of giant cell arteritis (Published January 2020; revision in development): https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/59/3/e1/5714024; EULAR imaging recommendations in large-vessel vasculitis — 2023 update (Published 2024): https://ard.bmj.com/content/83/6/741