Can anyone tell me what tests required for d... - Vasculitis UK
Can anyone tell me what tests required for diagnosis of takayasu arteritis?
I don't have TA so can't speak personally,
According to the Route Map for Vasculitis (you can view it all at vasculitis.org.uk) - Diagnosis for Takayasu's is "Examination usually indicates decreased pulses in the arms and legs. Imaging tests (angiography) of the major blood vessels will show how severe the narrowings are. Some specialist scans suchjas positron emission tomography (PET scanning) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) may be able to show if there is inflammation in the blood vessels or just scarring left behind by previous inflammation".
Hope that helps.
PatriciaAnn
I have TA and unfortunately there is no definitive test or tests for diagnosis. It took a year of a variety of tests to finally diagnose me. In the end it was a CT scan which showed inflammation of a number of arteries which confirmed it. This was then backed up by a PET scan, MRAs and ultrasounds. Inflammatory markers may be raised, blood pressure may differ between arms and there may be audible bruits (weird sounds in your arteries). But basically everyone seems to presents differently which makes it difficult. Please let me know if you have any more questions about TA. I'm 4 years down the line and still learning a lot. Jane
Hi, Jane,
I was wondering what your symptoms were leading to your TA diagnosis. I have been dealing with vascular type symptoms for MONTHS and I am still undiagnosed. Which type of doctor finally diagnosed you? Any other info you could give would be great. Thank you!
My TAK showed up when I collapsed after months of feeling dreadful. My most specific symptoms were no pulses in my arms, severe claudication in my arms and shoulders, visual disturbances, crazy blood pressure - that's probably enough! The initial tests were blood tests, then ultra sounds on my arms and shoulders, a temporal artery biopsy, a CT scan and then a PET scan. The ultrasound showed up multiple blockages in my subclavian arteries, and the PET scan showed the inflammation in my aorta etc. the blood test results have been usually been fairly inconclusive, and the biopsy was clear. I was diagnosed by a vascular surgeon, then passed to a rheumatologist for treatment. Do hope you get some useful results soon.
Hi. My symptoms were very vague and not necessarily normal. Whatever that is! I had osteoporosis, general fatigue and feeling a bit unwell, and also IBS type problems. They went very much down the route that I had a gasto problem and had lots of tests. It was a gastroenterologist who eventually sent me for a CT scan. The scan showed inflammation in my aorta, subclavians and carotids. I was admitted to hospital straight away where I was seen my the Vasculitis team. As my disease has progressed I now don't have a pulse in my left arm and have some more normal symptoms of the disease like very different blood pressure in my arms. What sort of symptoms do you have? Have you had any scans? I hope you're not feeling too poorly with it.
Hi jane,I had varied symptoms but mostly pain and difficulty walking,moving about had to get my husband to turn me on my side couldn't manage myself,very debilitating.also had no radial pulses in my arms no one could find a pulse,have since been advised to get blood pressure checked on my leg.
Thanks for replying. My symptoms started as arm, hand pain, but are now also in my legs, feet, abdomen. Docs cannot get a bp off my left arm. My feet and hands turn red and mottled and tingle constantly. Also red eyes that no drops or eye doc have been able to help. I have had blood work, brain mri and chest ct. Would ta show on a chest ct?
Hello, I have TAK and was diagnosed at Addenbrooke Hospital, Cambridge two and an half years ago. As Addenbrokes have a specilaised Vasculitis Clinic I believe patients from different parts of the country can be reffered there, if this helps you. My symptoms were firstly polymyalgia for a couple of years followed by almost a rejection of food, great fatigue, literally soaking sweats at night - I had to shower and change bed sheets!, an horrible sinking feeling like my body was giving up and nights of bad chest pain and also pain in my temples and upper and lower jaws. I can remember being frightened, many docs visits and not much happening, but then was referred to hospital and having radio-active sugar injected into my veins ready for a full body PET-CT Scan, This confirmed Vasculitis as Takayasus and they were able to see it affected my heart, head, arms, legs neck, and groin.
I so hope you get an answer soon, thinking of you - let us know how you get on won't you?
It should show up on a chest CT. I had one to check a minor heart problem....and the cardiologist told me that she found it very interesting, and that my aorta was just as I'd described it to her! Heart was fine, which was a relief as I do get chest pains in my front and back, but now I know that they are caused by the TAK, not something else.
I can relate to the tingling arms too - they used to wake me several times a night, and I had to lean over the edge of my bed and shake them back into life. They are much better now I'm being treated. Do hope you get an answer soon, and get treatment started.
Ok, so your aorta/chest has to be affected? It couldn't just be your arms/legs?
Honestly don't know...perhaps someone else does? I don't think Giant Cell Arteritis, which is a close relation to TAK (both are large vessel Arteritis) has the aorta involved. Has anyone suggested that?
No, I am going to see a specialist, but cannot get in until July 1.
Giant cell arteritis ( GCA ) usually affects the temporal artery but not exclusively and sometimes not at all. GCA can affect the aorta but I don't think the true incidence is known as patients with GCA are not routinely checked for Aortic involvement. This may be because it is seen as a disease of " older age ", the mean age of onset is 70 yrs plus.
I think for it to show up on a chest CT it would have to have been a CT angiogram with contrast. As BronteM has said the imaging of choice is a CT/PET. I hope you manage to get some answers at your appt.
I've had a patscan for my diagnosed with takayasu.
