Maintenance
Following a successful induction of remission, maintenance therapy might be given in some cases, for example when there is a high risk of relapse or in patients with organ-threatening manifestations. Common maintenance therapy is prednisolone 2.5–5 mg per day, or use of a steroid-sparing agent instead. Relapse
Relapses are common, and a previous history of relapse appears to be a strong predictor of future relapse. When relapse occurs while off therapy and there has been a prolonged disease remission following initial glucocorticoid induction, then the relapse can usually be managed successfully with a re-induction strategy using glucocorticoids. Introducing a steroid-sparing agent might also need to be considered for relapses; however, none has been tested in prospective, controlled studies, and evidence for their efficacy beyond that offered by concomitant glucocorticoid therapy is scarce.In one retrospective cohort study, baseline concentrations of serum IgG4, IgE and blood eosinophils were found to be independently predictive of relapse risk following treatment with rituximab with or without glucocorticoids; the higher the baseline values, the greater the relapse risk and the shorter the time to relapse. Other interventions
When organ involvement causes local mechanical problems, further organ-specific interventions may be necessary. For example, when a tumefactive lesion causes obstruction of the bile duct, it may be necessary to insert a biliary stent to allow the bile to drain freely. Similarly, ureteral or vascular stents, surgical resection or radiotherapy may be considered for various different presenting problems.
Bicipital tenosynovitis  is tendinitis or inflammation of the tendon and sheath lining of the biceps muscle. It is often the result of many years of small tears or other degenerative changes in the tendon first manifesting in middle age, but can be due to a sudden injury. Calcification of the tendon, and osteophytes ("bone spurs") in the intertubercular groove  can be apparent on x-rays. The condition (which can also occur in dogs)  is commonly treated with physical therapy and cortisone


== References ==