title: Gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography of Takayasu arteritis.
abstract: Takayasu arteritis is a form of large vessel vasculitis with a possible autoimmune origin that may cause stenosis of the aorta and its major branches. Six types of Takayasu arteritis are recognized; the type depends on whether the ascending aorta, descending thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta, aortic cervicobrachial branches, or renal arteries are affected. The coronary and pulmonary arteries are also sometimes involved. Clinical features of the disease include diminished or absent pulses, claudication, hypertension, and mesenteric angina. Conventional angiography has been the standard imaging tool for diagnosis and evaluation of Takayasu arteritis, although it demonstrates only the lumen of the vessel. Less invasive cross-sectional methods such as computed tomographic angiography and, more recently, three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) angiography can effectively demonstrate thickening of the vessel wall, which may be the earliest manifestation of the disease, occurring before stenosis and dilatation. MR imaging in particular allows better soft-tissue differentiation and can show other signs of inflammation, including mural edema and increased mural vascularity. Other advantages of MR imaging are the lack of iodinated contrast material or ionizing radiation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. marcionastri@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Marcio V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Nastri
authors.forename: Luciana P S
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Baptista
authors.forename: Ronaldo H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Baroni
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blasbalg
authors.forename: Luis F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: de Avila
authors.forename: Claudia C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Claudio C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: de Castro
authors.forename: Giovanni G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Cerri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007223:Infant; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium