In that study, when FDG-PET and MRI were evaluated independently by an imaging physician, more abnormal vascular segments were detected on FDG-PET [54]. The use of T2-weighted sequences to assess disease activity is controversial in the literature; thus, the EULAR recommendation suggests that edema on T2-weighted images is less sensitive and prone to artifacts [22,75,76]. MRI Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis An extensive literature search revealed that isolated MRI without angiography (MRA) is limited to a study by Kato et al [76]. In this study, the authors performed the late gadolinium enhancement sequence after contrast injection to the patients with TAK to assess disease distribution and activity of vessel wall inflammation. They concluded that the late gadolinium enhancement sequence has utility in detecting the extent; however, disease activity may be difficult to determine using late gadolinium enhancement alone. MRA Coronary Arteries There is no relevant literature to support the use of MRA coronary arteries in the diagnosis of LVV. MRA Neck There is no isolated or specific literature to support the use of MRA of the neck in the diagnosis of LVV. However, a recent study by Michailidou et al [68] demonstrated that neck MRA can be used along with chest MRA. However, the authors used MRA to assess vascular damage, such as aneurysm, stenosis, or occlusion. MRI Heart Function and Morphology There is no relevant literature to support the use of MRA of the coronary arteries in the diagnosis of LVV. US Duplex Doppler Aorta Abdomen There is a lack of evidence in the literature for the use of US duplex Doppler abdominal aorta in the diagnosis of LVV. US can be used in the assessment of and screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Although the abdominal aortic wall can be visualized with US, again, there is lack of evidence in the literature regarding the use of US for the diagnosis of vasculitis.
Noncerebral Vasculitis. In that study, when FDG-PET and MRI were evaluated independently by an imaging physician, more abnormal vascular segments were detected on FDG-PET [54]. The use of T2-weighted sequences to assess disease activity is controversial in the literature; thus, the EULAR recommendation suggests that edema on T2-weighted images is less sensitive and prone to artifacts [22,75,76]. MRI Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis An extensive literature search revealed that isolated MRI without angiography (MRA) is limited to a study by Kato et al [76]. In this study, the authors performed the late gadolinium enhancement sequence after contrast injection to the patients with TAK to assess disease distribution and activity of vessel wall inflammation. They concluded that the late gadolinium enhancement sequence has utility in detecting the extent; however, disease activity may be difficult to determine using late gadolinium enhancement alone. MRA Coronary Arteries There is no relevant literature to support the use of MRA coronary arteries in the diagnosis of LVV. MRA Neck There is no isolated or specific literature to support the use of MRA of the neck in the diagnosis of LVV. However, a recent study by Michailidou et al [68] demonstrated that neck MRA can be used along with chest MRA. However, the authors used MRA to assess vascular damage, such as aneurysm, stenosis, or occlusion. MRI Heart Function and Morphology There is no relevant literature to support the use of MRA of the coronary arteries in the diagnosis of LVV. US Duplex Doppler Aorta Abdomen There is a lack of evidence in the literature for the use of US duplex Doppler abdominal aorta in the diagnosis of LVV. US can be used in the assessment of and screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Although the abdominal aortic wall can be visualized with US, again, there is lack of evidence in the literature regarding the use of US for the diagnosis of vasculitis.