Principles of Imaging in Vasculitides

for large- and certain medium-vessel vasculitides, various imaging techniques can be useful

• magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or computed tomography angiography (CTA) allow for the assessment of
  • extensive vascular territories
  • vessels not readily accessible for tissue biopsy
• ultrasound, particularly color-coded duplex sonography, is often used as first-line imaging in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA)

small-vessel vasculitides

• difficult to directly visualize with imaging
• indirect signs can be detected;
• this may play a role in evaluating disease activity and extent of involvement

---

Reference - Curr Rheumatol Rep 2020 Jun 19;22(8):34