Biomarkers and PET for assessing the activity of Takayasu's arteritis

Introduction. Takayasu's arteritis is a chronic granulomatous vasculitis affecting the medium and large blood vessels that can lead to vascular occlusion. Inflammatory stages occur during the course of the disease. Angiography remains the gold standard examination of choice but less invasive techniques are needed to assess the activity of the disease and to monitor response to treatment. Case report. We present a case of an asymptomatic 21 year-old female patient with occlusion and stenosis of supra-aortic trunks discovered while performing an ultrasonography for the study of a recent goiter. Results. Angiography confirmed stenosis and vascular occlusions, Takayasu's arteritis being diagnosed. Metalloprotease 9 levels at diagnosis were higher than in control patients and increased when symptoms began. Positron emission tomography performed after starting treatment showed an increase in uptake. Conclusions. These non-invasive markers could be useful to assess the activity of the disease and even to avoid invasive angiographic examinations.