Could cheaper MRI scans spot a dangerous artery disease?
NCT ID NCT05854927
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether lower-resolution MRI scans can still reliably detect giant cell arteritis, a serious inflammation of arteries that can cause blindness or stroke. Researchers will compare different MRI techniques in 133 adults suspected of having the disease. If lower-resolution scans work well, more hospitals could offer this test, leading to faster diagnosis and treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- 3D T1 MRI sequences with contrast, fat saturation, and black blood
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could allow more hospitals to use MRI for diagnosing giant cell arteritis, speeding up treatment and preventing complications.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage diagnostic study, not a treatment trial. Lower-resolution images may miss subtle signs of inflammation, reducing accuracy.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 133 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A research network
The lead sponsor is a research network or cooperative group.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Participation in the study will be offered to all patients referred to imaging for an injected MRI for suspected GCA.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Patient over 18 years of age * Referred for imaging for an injected MRI for suspected GCA * Suspicion of GCA based on the presence of three major criteria or two major and one minor criteria defined as follows: * Major criteria: Age \> 50 years; Headache of recent onset; Claudication of the jaw, tongue or swallowing disorders; Visual problems (blindness, diplopia, blurred vision - including visual accidents occurring during the first week of treatment); Sedimentation rate at 1st hour \> 50 and/or CRP \> 8mg/l * Minor criteria: Hypersensitivity or induration of the scalp or presence of nodules remote from the temporal artery; Temporal artery abnormalities on palpation; Facial pain or feeling of facial edema; General signs (fever \>38°C, weight loss \>10%, anorexia, malaise, asthenia). * Cconsent to participate in the study * Affiliated or beneficiary of a social security plan Exclusion Criteria: * Newly diagnosed malignant disease (diagnosed less than one year prior to inclusion) * Active infectious disease * Autoimmune disease (especially but not limited to: Wegener's disease, Takayasu vasculitis, ANCA vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, periarteritis nodosa). * Systemic corticosteroid therapy for more than 10 days at high dose (\>0.5mg/kg/d of prednisone) * Contraindication to MRI * Patient benefiting from a legal protection measure * Pregnant or breastfeeding woman
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild
RECRUITINGParis, France
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