Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound of the Carotid Artery in Patients With Large Vessel Vasculitis: Correlation With Positron Emission Tomography Findings

Objective To assess the findings of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of carotid arteries in patients with large vessel vasculitis (LVV) and to compare them with those observed using 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography (18FDG‐PET). Methods A total of 31 consecutive patients with LVV (14 with Takayasu arteritis, 17 with giant cell arteritis with large vessel involvement) underwent both PET/computed tomography and carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) for a total of 35 combined assessments. Right carotid artery CEUS was performed after CDUS in all assessments. Kerr's criteria, a complete clinical examination, and acute phase reactants were simultaneously evaluated. The intensity of vascular uptake and vascularization of the carotid artery wall were compared. Results Ten 18F‐FDG/PET scans showed active vascular 18F‐FDG uptake (visual grade ≥2) in the right carotid artery. CEUS demonstrated severe vascularization (grade 2) within the right carotid artery wall in 12 examinations. The carotid CEUS vascularization grade significantly correlated with vascular 18F‐FDG uptake (P