One study by Loffler et al [77], in which FDG-PET/CT was used a reference test, sensitivity of US for LVV was demonstrated to be 26%. US Duplex Doppler Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis There is a lack of evidence in the literature for the use of US chest, abdomen, and pelvis in the diagnosis of LVV. In particular, thoracic aorta evaluation with US is hampered by the lungs [78]. US can be used in the assessment of Noncerebral Vasculitis and screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Although the abdominal aortic wall can be visualized with the US, again, there is lack of evidence in the literature regarding the use of US for the diagnosis of vasculitis. In a study by Loffler et al [77], in which FDG-PET/CT was used as a reference test, the sensitivity and specificity of US for the diagnosis of LVV were 80% and 70%, respectively (PPV 80%, NPV 70%). In their study, when authors analyzed separately, sensitivities of US for LVV diagnosis in the axillary and subclavian arteries were 72% and 71%, respectively. In TAK vasculitis, US can demonstrate a wide range of imaging findings, including hypoechoic rim/halo sign and hyperechoic rim around the vessel wall [83]. Although the echogenicity of the vessel wall is not helpful in distinguishing between acute or chronic inflammatory changes, it has been reported that active areas tend to have a thicker vessel wall [23]. A study demonstrated a good correlation between contrast-enhanced US and FDG-PET/CT findings [84]. Regarding the prognostic value of US, a study by Czihal et al [85] showed that concomitant temporal and upper-extremity vessel abnormality on US was associated with the poor treatment response in patients with GCA. US Duplex Doppler Lower Extremity There are limited data in the literature for the use of US duplex Doppler lower extremity in the diagnosis of LVV. In a study by Loffler et al [77], in which FDG-PET/CT was used a reference test, sensitivity of US for LVV diagnosis in the common femoral arteries was demonstrated to be 17%.
Noncerebral Vasculitis. One study by Loffler et al [77], in which FDG-PET/CT was used a reference test, sensitivity of US for LVV was demonstrated to be 26%. US Duplex Doppler Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis There is a lack of evidence in the literature for the use of US chest, abdomen, and pelvis in the diagnosis of LVV. In particular, thoracic aorta evaluation with US is hampered by the lungs [78]. US can be used in the assessment of Noncerebral Vasculitis and screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Although the abdominal aortic wall can be visualized with the US, again, there is lack of evidence in the literature regarding the use of US for the diagnosis of vasculitis. In a study by Loffler et al [77], in which FDG-PET/CT was used as a reference test, the sensitivity and specificity of US for the diagnosis of LVV were 80% and 70%, respectively (PPV 80%, NPV 70%). In their study, when authors analyzed separately, sensitivities of US for LVV diagnosis in the axillary and subclavian arteries were 72% and 71%, respectively. In TAK vasculitis, US can demonstrate a wide range of imaging findings, including hypoechoic rim/halo sign and hyperechoic rim around the vessel wall [83]. Although the echogenicity of the vessel wall is not helpful in distinguishing between acute or chronic inflammatory changes, it has been reported that active areas tend to have a thicker vessel wall [23]. A study demonstrated a good correlation between contrast-enhanced US and FDG-PET/CT findings [84]. Regarding the prognostic value of US, a study by Czihal et al [85] showed that concomitant temporal and upper-extremity vessel abnormality on US was associated with the poor treatment response in patients with GCA. US Duplex Doppler Lower Extremity There are limited data in the literature for the use of US duplex Doppler lower extremity in the diagnosis of LVV. In a study by Loffler et al [77], in which FDG-PET/CT was used a reference test, sensitivity of US for LVV diagnosis in the common femoral arteries was demonstrated to be 17%.