title: Liver scan abnormalities in polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis.
abstract: Liver involvement in polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis (PMR/GCA) before treatment and during follow-up of up to 3 1/2 years was assessed in 74 patients clinically, with liver function tests, isotope scans and blood flow studies. Twenty-seven patients had elevated alkaline phosphatase levels which fell to normal after 2.6 weeks treatment. Both PMR and GCA patients were affected, the latter more commonly. Isotope scans were abnormal in 7 of 29 patients and remained abnormal on follow-up. The arterial fraction of hepatic flow was significantly reduced in GCA patients in comparison with those having PMR only; values became normal after treatment. These abnormalities may be due to hepatic arteritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kyle
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Wraight
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Hazleman
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008102:Liver Circulation; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
chemical_list: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase