title: Utility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the assessment of the carotid artery wall in patients with Takayasu or giant cell arteritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Carotid contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was recently proposed for the evaluation of large-vessel vasculitides (LVV), particularly to assess vascularization within the vessel wall. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the potential of carotid colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and CEUS in patients with LVV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This prospective study included seven patients (mean age 48 ± 14 years, all females) with established LVV (Takayasu arteritis or giant cell arteritis). All patients underwent CDUS and CEUS (14 carotid arteries). Intima-media thickness, lumen diameter, Doppler velocities, vessel wall thickening, and lesion thickness were assessed. CEUS was used to improve visualization of the lumen-to-vessel wall border, and to visualize carotid wall vascularization. Four (57%) patients [7 (50%) carotid arteries] exhibited lesions, and the average lesion thickness was 2.0 ± 0.5 mm. According to the Doppler peak systolic velocity, 5 (35%) carotid arteries had a <50% stenosis, 1 (7%) had a 50-70% stenosis, and 1 (7%) had a ≥70% stenosis. The contrast agent improved the image quality and the definition of the lumen-to-vascular wall border. Carotid wall vascularization was observed in 5 (71%) patients [9 (64%) carotid arteries]. Five (36%) carotid arteries had mild-to-moderate vascularization, and 4 (29%) had severe wall vascularization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carotid CDUS allows the assessment of anatomical features of LVV, including vessel wall thickening and degree of stenosis. Carotid CEUS improves the visualization of the lumen border, and allows dynamic assessment of carotid wall vascularization, which is a potential marker of disease activity in patients with LVV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Room Ba304, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus MC, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, Rotterdam 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Arend F L
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Schinkel
authors.forename: Stijn C H
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: van den Oord
authors.forename: Antonius F W
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: van der Steen
authors.forename: Jan A M
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van Laar
authors.forename: Eric J G
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Sijbrands
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Takayasu; arteritis; contrast-enhanced ultrasound; giant cell arteritis