vessel wall enhancement
Increased signal intensity or brightness of blood vessel walls on contrast-enhanced imaging, indicating inflammation or pathology.
Full Definition
Vessel wall enhancement refers to the abnormal uptake of contrast material by the walls of blood vessels, appearing as increased signal intensity or brightness on contrast-enhanced MRI or CT imaging. This finding typically indicates active inflammation, such as in vasculitis, arteritis, or atherosclerotic plaque inflammation. Unlike normal intraluminal enhancement where contrast circulates within the vessel, wall enhancement specifically affects the vessel wall itself. The pattern, distribution, and intensity of enhancement can provide important diagnostic clues about the underlying pathology. In giant cell arteritis, for example, circumferential wall enhancement may be seen, while in atherosclerotic disease, enhancement may be more focal and irregular. Editors must distinguish wall enhancement from luminal enhancement or adjacent tissue enhancement.
Usage
Usage note: Specify the pattern of enhancement (circumferential, eccentric, focal) and distinguish from normal luminal contrast enhancement.
In Context
- "Circumferential vessel wall enhancement of the temporal arteries supported the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis." — Rheumatology imaging report
- "No significant vessel wall enhancement was observed in the carotid arteries on high-resolution MRI." — Stroke workup imaging