en Reumatology Reumatology Original Article Original Article <span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="line-height:14pt"><b><i><span style="color:blue">Background:</span></i></b> Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a rare large-vessel vasculitis that affects the carotid arteries. Increased intima&ndash;media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic changes are detectable by ultrasonography (US). This study aimed to evaluate detailed carotid sonographic features in TAK and compare them with diabetes mellitus (DM), as well as to assess correlations between sonographic parameters and inflammatory markers.</span><br> <span style="line-height:14pt"><b><i><span style="color:blue">Methods:</span></i></b> In this case-control study, 15 patients with TAK fulfilling the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria (2012&ndash;2022) and 15 patients with DM were evaluated at Loghman Hakim Hospital. Cardiovascular risk factors, carotid ultrasonography, and serum inflammatory markers were assessed. Data were analyzed using univariate and multiple regression tests (SPSS V24).</span><br> <span style="line-height:14pt"><b><i><span style="color:blue">Results:</span></i></b> Atherosclerotic plaques were found in 46.7% of TAK and 53.3% of DM patients. IMT of common (CCA) and internal carotid arteries (ICA) was significantly higher in TAK (p<0.05). The macaroni sign (P=0.001), turbulent flow (P=0.006), and higher CCA resistivity index (RI) (P=0.047) were characteristic of TAK. ESR and CRP correlated with pre-bifurcation CCA mean IMT (p<0.05). Each unit increase in CRP was associated with a 0.02 mm increase in right CCA IMT (P=0.05).</span><br> <span style="line-height:14pt"><b><i><span style="color:blue">Conclusion: </span></i></b>Carotid ultrasonography is a valuable tool in evaluating TAK. Distinguishing features include the presence of the macaroni sign, turbulent flow, and higher IMT and RI. Increased IMT was associated with elevated CRP.<b><i><span style="color:blue"></span></i></b></span></span></span><br> &nbsp; Vasculitis, Takayasu’s Arteritis, Atherosclerosis, Ultrasonography, Diabetes mellitus 747 754 http://caspjim.com/browse.php?a_code=A-10-2038-3&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Maryam Haghighi-Morad maryamhaghighimorad@gmail.com 100319475328460054860 100319475328460054860 No Department of Radiology, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Reza Rezaei rmedresearch@gmail.com 100319475328460054861 100319475328460054861 No School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Muhanna Kazempour muhannakazempour@gmail.com 100319475328460054862 100319475328460054862 Yes Department of Rheumatology, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Mehdi Emam mmemam@yahoo.com 100319475328460054863 100319475328460054863 No Department of Rheumatology, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Arezoo Ranjbar Arani drranjbar.ar@gmail.com 100319475328460054864 100319475328460054864 No Department of Internal Medicine, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahboobeh Taheri mahbobeh.taheri64@yahoo.com 100319475328460054865 100319475328460054865 No Clinical research Development center of Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Parisa Delkash parisa.delkash@yahoo.com 100319475328460054866 100319475328460054866 No Department of Rheumatology, Emam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran