For Kawasaki disease, what imaging study is recommended at diagnosis to assess for coronary involvement?

For Kawasaki disease, what imaging study is recommended at diagnosis to assess for coronary involvement?

• A. Chest radiographs
• B. Abdominal ultrasound
• C. Brain MRI
• D. Echocardiogram

Answer: (D)

Kawasaki disease can inflame the coronary arteries and lead to aneurysms, so the imaging study chosen at diagnosis is one that directly visualizes these vessels. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to image the heart and its proximal coronary arteries, allowing assessment for dilation, aneurysm, and overall heart function. It provides a baseline and can be repeated to monitor for changes as treatment starts (for example, after IVIG and aspirin therapy). Other tests like chest radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, or brain MRI do not evaluate the coronary arteries and aren’t used to assess coronary involvement. So, echocardiography is the most appropriate initial imaging study for this purpose.

Kawasaki disease can inflame the coronary arteries and lead to aneurysms, so the imaging study chosen at diagnosis is one that directly visualizes these vessels. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to image the heart and its proximal coronary arteries, allowing assessment for dilation, aneurysm, and overall heart function. It provides a baseline and can be repeated to monitor for changes as treatment starts (for example, after IVIG and aspirin therapy). Other tests like chest radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, or brain MRI do not evaluate the coronary arteries and aren’t used to assess coronary involvement. So, echocardiography is the most appropriate initial imaging study for this purpose.