Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and follow up of Takayasu's arteritis in children.
BACKGROUND
Takayasu's arteritis (TA) has a mortality rate of up to 40% in children. Because the clinical presentation of TA is often non-specific, accurate and prompt diagnosis depends on a high degree of awareness and appropriate laboratory and imaging studies.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the use of advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating, gauging activity, and following the complications of TA.


RESULTS
T1 weighted, T2 weighted, contrast enhanced MR images, and MR angiograms of the chest and abdomen were obtained in three children (age range 11-14 years). The MRI studies confirmed the diagnosis of active TA and were repeated to evaluate response to treatment. Two patients showed complete resolution of lesions found on MRI at six and 12 months' follow up, while the third patient showed no significant improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI can be used to help establish the initial diagnosis of TA in children, and it can also be used to monitor disease activity and to guide treatment.
Aluquin
V P R
VP
Divisions of Pediatric Cardiology and Rheumatology, Stanford University, California, USA. vinzaluquin@pol.net
Albano
S A
SA
Chan
F
F
Sandborg
C
C
Pitlick
P T
PT
D000293:Adolescent; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011241:Prednisone