The clinical application of ‘edema-weightedʹ magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of Takayasuʹs arteritis

Takayasuʹs arteritis is an inflammatory process affecting medium to large arteries. In about half of cases, constitutional symptoms and laboratory studies do not correlate with disease activity, confounding therapeutic decision making. We present six representative cases of Takayasuʹs arteritis in which new magnetic resonance imaging sequences for improved morphological and tissue characterization were useful in identifying aortic wall thickening and acute inflammatory changes, respectively. Specifically, fast spin-echo sequences designed to enhance detection of vessel wall edema were included. This information proved useful in guiding clinical decision making, particularly in regard to initiation and monitoring of therapy in our patients.