The Use of Shear Wave Elastography in the Diagnosis of Prestenotic Phase of Takayasu's Aortoarteritis

We report the use of shear wave elastography with dispersion imaging in diagnosing a case of prestenotic Takayasu's arteritis which presented with symptoms of fever of unknown origin with persistently raised C-reactive protein levels. Vessel wall inflammation was detected in the carotid arteries on dispersion and shear wave imaging along with increased wall stiffness which was characteristic of vasculitis seen in a prestenotic phase of Takayasu's disease. These findings preceded the sonographic finding of vessel wall thickening described as the earliest sign of the disease on routine ultrasonography and not only helped to make an early diagnosis in a patient with a fever of unknown origin but also in the posttreatment follow-up.