Monitoring Large Vessel Vasculitis with MR/PET
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Monitoring Large Vessel Vasculitis with MR/PET Imaging: An Exploratory Study
IRAS ID
242916
Contact name
N Dhaun
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Large vessel vasculitis (LVV) is a condition characterised by inflammation of the blood vessel walls. It primarily affects the aorta (the main vessel which carries blood from the heart) and its main branches (that deliver blood to the head and limbs). Patients with LVV have non-specific symptoms and require toxic doses of steroids - resulting in poor outcomes. There is currently no specific test to help physicians monitor activity of the disease and subsequently treatment. These issues make LVV a challenging disease to manage. In addition, It is currently unknown whether large vessel vasculitis is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
PET (positron emission tomography) imaging is a well-established technique used to identify areas of inflammation within the body. Combined with CT (computer tomography), it has emerged as a helpful investigation for the diagnosis of LVV. However, it is not helpful in monitoring the disease long term due to cumulative radiation exposure and an inability to differentiate between vasculitis and other causes of blood vessel wall inflammation.
PET has recently been combined with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to investigate heart conditions and coronary artery disease.
This study aims to be the first to determine the role of MR/PET in monitoring blood vessel inflammation LVV. Patients with new or relapsing LVV will be invited to the study. This will involve a PET/MR scan at Edinburgh Imaging Facility QMRI, repeated again after 6 months of treatment. The scan will last for approximately 60 minutes. In addition, participants will undergo tests to determine their risk of cardiovascular disease including an eye scan and blood pressure monitoring.
We think that PET/MR may provide a reliable and safe (low radiation exposure) imaging method to monitor disease activity in LVV which will help guide treatment and consequently prevent disease related complications such as blood vessel blockage or dilatation.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
18/SS/0157
Date of REC Opinion
17 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion