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Integrated head-thoracic vascular MRI at 3 T: Assessment of cranial, cervical and thoracic involvement of giant cell arteritis

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Abstract

Recently, high-resolution contrast-enhanced MRI has proven to be feasible for noninvasive diagnosis of giant cell arteritis in the cranium. In such examinations, thickening of the vessel wall and/or increased contrast enhancement demonstrate mural inflammation. Typically, the superficial cranial arteries with predominance of the superficial temporal artery are affected by the disease. However, giant cell arteritis can also involve other parts of the vascular system and an examination with extended coverage, including head, neck, and thorax would be advantageous. In this study, a novel approach for integrated head-thoracic vascular MRI at 3 T is presented. Combining first-pass imaging of a single-dose contrast agent with post-contrast imaging permits the assessment of both thoracic aortic geometry and wall, in addition to high-resolution head imaging needed for the analysis of the small superficial cranial arteries. Results from a patient feasibility study are presented and confirm that the protocol can successfully be completed in less than 40 min.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Medical Physics, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany

    T. A. Bley, O. Wieben, M. Uhl, M. Langer, J. Hennig & M. Markl

  2. Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany

    N. Miehle

Authors
  1. T. A. Bley
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  2. O. Wieben
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  3. M. Uhl
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  4. N. Miehle
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  5. M. Langer
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  6. J. Hennig
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  7. M. Markl
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Correspondence to T. A. Bley.

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Supported through by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Grant # MA 2383/3-1

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Bley, T., Wieben, O., Uhl, M. et al. Integrated head-thoracic vascular MRI at 3 T: Assessment of cranial, cervical and thoracic involvement of giant cell arteritis. MAGMA 18, 193–200 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-005-0119-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-005-0119-3

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