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Rheumatology Advance Access published online on February 21, 2008
Rheumatology, doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kem379
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Review

Role of imaging studies in the diagnosis and follow-up of large-vessel vasculitis: an update

N. Pipitone1, A. Versari2 and C. Salvarani1

1Department of Rheumatology and 2Department of Nuclear Medicine, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Viale Risorgimento 80, I-42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Correspondence to: C. Salvarani, Rheumatology Department, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Viale Risorgimento, 80, I-42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy. E-mail: Salvarani.carlo{at}asmn.re.it


  Abstract

Imaging studies play a central role in diagnosing and monitoring giant-cell and Takayasu arteritis. Deep, large vessels can be examined by CT or MRI, while colour Doppler ultrasound and MRI have been used with promising results to investigate the temporal arteries. Positron emission tomography is very sensitive in detecting large-vessel inflammation, although it does not delineate the vessel wall. Imaging procedures can also be used to monitor the disease course. However, imaging signs of inflammation may sometimes persist despite clinical remission and, conversely, seemingly unaffected vessels may develop alterations later on.

KEY WORDS: Angiography, MRI, Magnetic resonance angiography, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Ultrasonography, Doppler, Colour, PET, Takayasu arteritis, Giant-cell arteritis

Submitted 30 September 2007; revised version accepted 18 December 2007.
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