Ultrasound in GCA: Halo Sign Quantification and Visual Symptoms, Systemic Inflammation and Relapse Risk.

Background: A sonographic scoring system, termed Halo count and Halo score, of temporal and axillary arteries (TAXA) in suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA) has been proposed for outcome prognostication.

Method: We conducted a retrospective review into the relationship of Halo count and Halo score and clinical-laboratory parameters amongst patients diagnosed with GCA via our rapid-access pathway to determine whether these measures should form part of our local routine clinical practice.

Result: This review of TAXA ultrasound (US) images in patients with diagnosed GCA did not identify any correlation between Halo count/score and ocular symptoms, jaw claudication, 6-month relapse risk or inflammatory markers.

Conclusion: This suggests that further prospective evaluation of Halo count and -score is required before adopting these measures into routine US scanning of TAXA for suspected GCA.