Pre-pulseless Takayasu's arteritis evaluated with 18F-FDG positron emission tomography and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography

Takayasu's arteritis is a primary vasculitis that affects large vessels and is characterized by chronic granulomatous inflammation. Diagnosis has been primarily clinical, with verification by angiography as the gold standard. More recently, however, it has become apparent that positron emission tomography enables better evaluation of vascular inflammation. This study presents 2 cases of Takayasu's arteritis. Magnetic resonance angiography was used to evaluate aortic anatomy by analyzing vascular wall thickness and also to quantify disease activity by measuring gadolinium enhancement. Positron emission tomography was used to evaluate active vascular inflammation by quantifying fluorodeoxyglucose F18 uptake. We conclude that both techniques support clinical diagnosis and aid in the evaluation of disease activity during and after treatment.