Current rheumatology reports
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Review Comparative Study
Use of imaging studies in the diagnosis of vasculitis.
Imaging studies are necessary to determine disease extension and disease activity in the small-vessel vasculitides. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) increase the number of pathologic findings compared with conventional radiography. MRI delineates mucosal inflammation and granulomas in the paranasal sinuses, whereas CT provides information about osseous lesions. ⋯ Duplex ultrasonography has the greatest resolution. It delineates typical artery wall swelling in temporal arteritis and Takayasu's arteritis. Positron emission tomography can assess inflammatory activity of large arteries.