Takayasu Arteritis - Diagnosis

Diagnosis

Takayasu arteritis is diagnosed using angiography, CT scan and MRI.

Takayasu arteritis is diagnosed using the following tests:

Blood tests - Blood tests show anemia and a high ESR. These tests however do not diagnose the condition

Imaging studies

• Conventional or digital subtraction angiography – This is a procedure in which a dye is injected into the artery and the images obtained are studied for any obstruction to blood flow or dilatation of any portion of the artery. It should not be done in patients with disease of artery supplying blood to the kidney.
• CT scan and MRI – These imaging studies help to study the lumen as well as to find any abnormalities in the wall of the artery. These may be used along with angiography.
• Echocardiography – Echocardiography helps to assess the function of heart and heart valves especially of the aortic valve in Takayasu arteritis.
• PET scan – PET scan may be useful to diagnose the disease in its early stages.
• Gallium 67 radionuclide scan and chest x-ray may also be used, though they may not be as informative as CT scan and MRI.