Vessel wall morphometry in giant cell arteritis

Objective. To investigate morphometrically the relationship between the deg ree of inflammatory reaction and arterial cross-sectional dimensions in gia nt cell arteritis (GCA). Methods. The media and intima of cross-sectioned inflamed arteries from GCA patients were outlined. The media circumference and the media and intima c ross-sectional areas were measured. The two segments in every biopsy displa ying the least and most widespread media inflammation were compared, using a paired Student's t-test. Moreover, paired comparisons were made of the in tima area in inflamed and noninflamed sectors in single cross-sections. Results. The segment in each biopsy showing the most widespread media infla mmation had the largest circumference and volume of media and intima; the i ntima cross-sectional area increased disproportionately. The intima Mras th ickest in inflamed sectors in single cross-sections. Conclusion. The close spatial correlation between inflammatory media infilt ration and the marked intimal expansion supports the contention that promot ing factors produced by inflammatory cells play a pathogenetic role in GCA.