Journal Watch-Imaging Findings in Takayasu's Arteritis.

Gotway MB, Araoz PA, Macedo TA, Stanson AW, Higgins CB, Ring EJ, Dawn SK, Webb WR, Leung JW, Reddy GP.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of cross-sectional imaging for establishing the diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis (TA), an inflammatory vascular disorder that produces arterial stenoses and aneurysms primarily involving the thoracoabdominal aorta and its branches and the pulmonary arteries.

CONCLUSION: CT and MRI findings of TA include vascular wall thickening and enhancement early in the disease, and arterial stenoses, occlusions, and aneurysms later in the disease. Cross-sectional imaging is useful for establishing the diagnosis of TA and for showing response to nonsurgical therapy or for planning a surgical intervention.

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2005 Jun;184(6):1945-50.