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. 2002 Jun;61(6):526–529. doi: 10.1136/ard.61.6.526

Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and follow up of Takayasu's arteritis in children

V Aluquin 1, S Albano 1, F Chan 1, C Sandborg 1, P Pitlick 1
PMCID: PMC1754123  PMID: 12006326

Abstract

Background: Takayasu's arteritis (TA) has a mortality rate of up to 40% in children. Because the clinical presentation of TA is often non-specific, accurate and prompt diagnosis depends on a high degree of awareness and appropriate laboratory and imaging studies.

Objective: To examine the use of advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating, gauging activity, and following the complications of TA.

Methods and results: T1 weighted, T2 weighted, contrast enhanced MR images, and MR angiograms of the chest and abdomen were obtained in three children (age range 11–14 years). The MRI studies confirmed the diagnosis of active TA and were repeated to evaluate response to treatment. Two patients showed complete resolution of lesions found on MRI at six and 12 months' follow up, while the third patient showed no significant improvement.

Conclusion: MRI can be used to help establish the initial diagnosis of TA in children, and it can also be used to monitor disease activity and to guide treatment.

Full Text

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Figure 1 .

Figure 1

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(Patient 1) (A) T1 weighted axial images showing a dilated ascending aorta (long thin arrow) and significant wall thickening of the descending aorta (short thick arrow). (B) Improvement in wall thickness after 12 months of treatment.

Figure 2 .

Figure 2

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(Patient 1) (A) Gadolinium contrast enhancement of the abdominal aortic wall (arrows). (B) Resolution of wall enhancement after treatment.

Figure 3 .

Figure 3

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(Patient 3) (A) Increased signal intensity of the descending aortic wall (arrow) on T2 weighted axial images. (B) Resolution of inflammation after treatment.

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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