Takayasu arteritis: Diagnosis with MR imaging and MR angiography in acute and chronic active stages

Early diagnos is and treatment of Takayasu arteritis is important in preven tion of serious complications, Spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) c an depict early wall thickening of the aorta and cine MRI can evaluate aort ic valve function. Significant enhancement in and wound the aorta and carot id arteries is observed on postcontrast MR images in acute phase Takayasu a rteritis, In the chronic phase, contrast enhancement in the aortic wall str onger than in the myocardium suggests activity of the disease. Breath-hold contrast-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography is very effective in non invasive evaluation of luminal change of aortitis. Contrast-enhanced MRI an d MR angiography have an important role in early diagnosis, activity determ ination, and follow-up of Takayasu arteritis. MRI and MR angiography can be utilized for initial diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis and replace catheteri zation angiography. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.