Imaging Methods: General Principles

Imaging plays a central role in the management of patients affected by aortitis, from the confirmation of the diagnosis to its follow-up over time. Giant cell arteritis, is a chronic idiopathic granulomatous vasculitis and represents the most common form of aortitis. Takayasu’s arteritis is a rare form of vasculitis, typically affects female at the third decade of life. Chronic periaortitis is a rare vascular and connective inflammatory disease which comprises a spectrum of conditions; it is more prevalent in the male aged between 40 and 60 years. Infectious aortitis have high mortality and morbidity; in most cases, it is caused by bacterial infections and occurs in patients with pre-existing aortic wall pathology. Almost any imaging modality can be used in the evaluation of aortitis and vasculitis of the great vessels. The various techniques, each with their inherent advantages and limitations, provide valuable and often complementary information.