Clinicians who treat vasculitis are familiar with uncertainty.

In its many forms, and with no single sign, symptom or investigation strong enough to confirm a diagnosis, vasculitis presents an extensive list of challenges in a setting where diagnostic delay can lead to devastating consequences.

In episode three of our Rheumatology Advanced Trainee series we deep dive into two types of vasculitis -

giant cell arteritis (GCA) here in part 1 and ANCA-associated vasculitis next week in part 2. You'll hear Dr Tony Sammel and Dr Daman Langguth discuss what they’ve learned about how to diagnose the rare condition and how to best support patients through treatment decisions and relapse. They’ll share tips on how to overcome some of the challenges associated with ruling out other more common conditions, making decisions around imaging and biopsy as well as discussing some of the latests evidence around treatments.

With many practical tips and insights this episode is a great listen. Dr Daman Langguth is VMO at Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, director of Immunology and chair of Partners Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology and treasurer of the Australian and New Zealand Vasculitis Society.

Dr Tony Sammel is staff specialist in rheumatology at Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick and Sydney Eye Hospitals, where he coordinates the rheumatology vasculitis service, he has teaching appointments at the University of NSW and is Director of the Australian and New Zealand Vasculitis Society.

This series is a collaboration with the Australian Rheumatology Association and the limbic.