Timing of Halo Sign Disappearance on Temporal Artery Doppler Ultrasound After Starting Steroid Treatment in Patients Aged 50 and Older with Giant Cell Arteritis

What this Trial Is About

Giant cell arteritis GCA is a rare and serious condition causing inflammation of large arteries, especially the thoracic aorta and its branches, affecting adults over 50. This disease can lead to blindness if not diagnosed early. Researchers are studying the time it takes for the halo signa thickening around the temporal artery visible on Doppler ultrasoundto disappear after starting corticosteroid treatment, to better understand the sensitivity of this diagnostic method over time. Participants will undergo Doppler ultrasound on their temporal arteries at the start of corticosteroid therapy Day 0, then again on Day 3 and Day 7, with an additional scan on Day 15 if the halo sign persists at Day 7. This schedule is designed to observe when the halo sign disappears, as it is believed to vanish earlier than previously reported, potentially affecting diagnostic accuracy if performed too late after treatment begins. During the study, patients newly diagnosed with GCA and starting corticosteroid treatment will have repeated ultrasounds and blood tests to assess inflammation markers like C-reactive protein. Researchers will correlate these findings with biopsy results and corticosteroid doses. The main measurement is the number of patients whose halo sign disappears by Day 3, with additional assessments through Day 15. The study lasts up to the end of February 2028, with close monitoring during the first two weeks of therapy.

Halo Sign Vanishing Time After Steroids Outbreak in GCA Patients