Well‐imaged large vessel vasculitis attributed to anticardiolipin antibody

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Abstract
Objective. We report a case of large vessel vasculitis, compare imaging techniques, and briefly review the literature. Methods. Anticardiolipin antibody titers, acute‐phase response, and ischemic symptoms in a 50‐year‐old man admitted for treatment of vasculitis‐related ischemia of the fingers were monitored over a 14‐month period. Images from serial magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were compared with images from conventional arteriography in the evaluation of peripheral arterial circulation. Results. The acute‐phase response and anticardiolipin antibody levels were found to vary in parallel with slow resolution of ischemic symptoms following monthly treatment with pulse methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. Conclusion. Attribution of ischemic symptoms to anticardiolipin antibody is supported by the correlation of anticardiolipin antibody titers, acute‐phase response parameters, and ischemic symptoms. The serial images from MRA demonstrate its usefulness as a noninvasive tool for followup studies of both large and medium‐sized vessels affected by vasculitis.