Possibilities of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Changes in the «Vascular Wall» in Giant Cell Arteritis

The aim of the study: to identify features of extracranial carotid and vertebral arteries vessel wall MRI in norm and pathology using layer-by-layer analysis of the arterial wall components. MRI results were compared at the same anatomical level with data of ultrasound examination of vertebral arteries in patients with giant cell arteritis and in health individuals. It was revealed that in normal arteries MRI signal from the vessel wall mainly formed by vascularized adventitia and venous plexuses. Media and intima visualization becomes possible in cases of their pathological transformation. Thus, it was defined which structures of the vessel wall take part in MRI signal forming in health individuals and patient with pathology. Also MRI patterns of different stages of large arteries vasculitis were identified.