CT ANGIOGRAPHY OF TAKAYASU ARTERITIS - COMPARISON WITH CONVENTIONAL ANGIOGRAPHY

PURPOSE: To compare computed tomography (CT) angiography with conventi onal angiography in the evaluation of the extent of disease in the aor ta and its major branches in patients with Takayasu arteritis. MATERIA LS AND METHODS: Both conventional (digital subtraction) and CT angiogr aphy were performed in 10 patients with Takayasu arteritis. The lumina l abnormalities were assessed with both conventional angiography and m aximum intensity projection (MIP) CT angiography. Transverse images fr om CT angiography also were used to assess mural changes, which were n ot assessed with conventional angiography. RESULTS: Conventional angio graphy revealed 51 sites of luminal abnormalities. In five patients (5 0%), both conventional and MIP CT angiography depicted the same number of involved sites. At 36 of the 51 sites (71%), the estimation of lum inal changes was the same for both modalities. In all patients, the tr ansverse images provided additional mural findings in the aorta and it s major branches. The integrated information provided by CT angiograph y, including MIP and transverse images, depicted more extensive diseas e than conventional angiography. CONCLUSION: CT angiography including MIP and transverse images has advantages over conventional angiography in the evaluation of disease extent by providing additional mural inf ormation in Takayasu arteritis.