Magnetic resonance imaging for early detection of Takayasu arteritis

The patient was a 15-year-old girl with suspected Takayasu arteritis. Magne tic resonance (MR) imaging, using the fast low angle shot (FLASH) technique , revealed aneurysmal dilation of the aortic root and irregular thickening of the aortic wall. Three-dimensional (3-D) contrast-enhanced MR angiograph y successfully demonstrated narrowing of the left carotid and left subclavi an arteries. In addition, 2-dimensional (2-D) FLASH MR imaging clearly visu alized narrowing of two right renal arteries and the left renal artery. The se were angiographically evident. Thus, MR imaging is particularly useful f or early detection of subtle arteritic changes and involvement of stenotic lesions in branch vessels in the early phase of Takayasu arteritis.