title: Vessel Wall Inflammation of Takayasu Arteritis Detected by Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Association with Disease Distribution and Activity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The assessment of the distribution and activity of vessel wall inflammation is clinically important in patients with Takayasu arteritis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful tool, but the clinical utility of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in Takayasu arteritis has yet to be determined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of LGE in assessing vessel wall inflammation and disease activity in Takayasu arteritis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We enrolled 49 patients with Takayasu arteritis who had undergone 1.5 T MRI. Patients were divided into Active (n = 19) and Inactive disease (n = 30) groups. The distribution of vessel wall inflammation using angiography and LGE was assessed by qualitative analysis. In 79% and 63% of patients in Active and Inactive groups, respectively, greater distribution of vessel wall inflammation was observed with LGE than with conventional angiography. MRI values of pre- and post-contrast signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), SNR increment (post-SNR minus pre-SNR), pre- and post-contrast contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR), and CNR increment (post-CNR minus pre-CNR) were evaluated at arterial wall sites with the highest signal intensity using quantitative analysis of post-contrast LGE images. No statistically significant differences in MRI parameters were observed between Active and Inactive groups. Contrast-enhanced MRI was unable to accurately detect active disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contrast-enhanced MRI has utility in detecting the distribution of vessel wall inflammation but has less utility in assessing disease activity in Takayasu arteritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.|Cardiovascular Imaging Clinic, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Imaging Clinic, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terashima
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohigashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tezuka
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ashikaga
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenzo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirao
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsuaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isobe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media