Related Experiment Videos
Takayasu arteritis: evaluation of mural changes in the aorta and pulmonary artery with CT angiography
1Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
Insights
Computed tomographic (CT) angiography can reveal vascular wall changes in Takayasu arteritis. This imaging technique identified aortic wall thickening, enhancement, and calcifications in patients with this condition.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Imaging
- Rheumatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Takayasu arteritis is a large vessel vasculitis affecting the aorta and its branches.
- Early diagnosis and monitoring of vascular changes are crucial for managing Takayasu arteritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate mural changes in the aorta and pulmonary artery in Takayasu arteritis.
- To assess the utility of computed tomographic (CT) angiography in visualizing these vascular alterations.
Main Methods:
- Prospective CT angiography performed in 12 women with Takayasu arteritis and 10 healthy controls.
- Multi-phase scanning included precontrast, arterial, and delayed phases to assess vascular enhancement and morphology.
Main Results:
- CT angiography revealed aortic wall thickening (1-4 mm), high attenuation, and calcifications in Takayasu arteritis patients.
- Enhancement patterns in arterial and delayed phases indicated active inflammation. Pulmonary artery changes were also observed.
Conclusions:
- CT angiography is effective in demonstrating mural changes in the aorta and pulmonary artery in Takayasu arteritis.
- The findings suggest CT angiography's potential role in diagnosing and monitoring patients with this condition.
Purpose:
To evaluate mural changes in the aorta and pulmonary artery in Takayasu arteritis by using computed tomographic (CT) angiography.
Materials And Methods:
CT angiography was prospectively performed in 12 women with Takayasu arteritis and in 10 healthy adults. Scanning included three distinct phases: precontrast (before administration of contrast material), arterial, and delayed.
Results:
Precontrast transverse images revealed a high-attenuation aortic wall (10 patients) and mural calcifications in the aorta (nine patients). Arterial-phase images revealed circumferential wall thickening of 1-4 mm in all patients and enhancement in five patients with active disease. Delayed-phase CT revealed circumferential enhancement in eight patients. A concentric, low-attenuation ring was also identified inside the aorta on the arterial-phase (two patients) and delayed-phase (three patients) images. In the pulmonary artery, wall thickening was revealed with early and delayed enhancement in two patients.
Conclusion:
CT angiography may demonstrate changes in the vascular wall in patients with Takayasu arteritis.