Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and follow-up of giant cell arteritis: case report and review of literature

A female patient with giant cell vasculitis of the abdominal aorta and its branches and strongly suspected of having extrapulmonary tuberculosis is presented. The diagnoses were based on the clinical picture, laboratory findings, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. MRI is highly useful in cases where echosonography and/or vascular biopsy for histopathological analyses are not possible. A combination of giant cell vasculitis and extrapulmonary tuberculosis is extremely rare, and therefore, choosing the right treatment presents a considerable challenge. MRI performed after 6-month antituberculous therapy and 1-year glucocorticoid plus methotrexate therapy showed normal wall of the aorta and its branches, which was consistent with clinical and laboratory remission. Patients with large vessel vasculitis require regular follow-up by MRI.

Giant cell vasculitis; antituberculotics; extrapulmonary tuberculosis; glucocorticoids; magnetic resonance imaging.