J Rheum Dis.  2014 Dec;21(6):331-335. 10.4078/jrd.2014.21.6.331.

Coexisting Rheumatoid Arthritis and Takayasu's Arteritis: a Case Report and Review of the Literature

• Kim HY
• Min IS
• Yoo JE
• Ju Y
• Song PH
• Ku JS
• Lee WS
• Yoo WH

• KMID: 2222940
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2014.21.6.331

Abstract

The coexistence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a rare combination and described only in case reports in the literature. Although concurrent presence of RA and TA has been described only in a few literatures to date and the number of reports is increasing, the association between RA and TA remains to be clarified. We present a case of a female patient with both RA and TA, presenting with polyarthritis. We also reviewed the clinical features of the cases with coexistence of RA and TA.

Keyword

Rheumatoid arthritis; Takayasu's arteritis

MeSH Terms

Arthritis
Arthritis, Rheumatoid*
Female
Humans
Takayasu Arteritis*

Figure

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  Figure 1. Simple X-ray of right hand in 2007 (A), 2011 (B). Hand X-ray shows narrowing of radio-carpal and carpal bone joint space and irregular bony erosion and sclerosis of carpal bone and distal radius.

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  Figure 2. (A) Computed tomography (CT) with enhancement of chest shows known tuberculosis-destroyed lung with acute pneumonic consolidation. (B) Takayasu's arteritis in late stage of disease. Unenhanced CT scan shows extensive calcification composing abdominal aortic lumen. (C) Enhanced CT scan shows stenosis of left common carotid artery.

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  Figure 3. Catheter angiography shows infrarenal abdominal aortic stenosis with extensive collateral vessel formation. Although atherosclerosis commonly affects infrarenal abdominal aorta, atherosclerosis usually produces abrupt caliber changes just beyond stenosis sites; the smooth tapered nature of this stenosis favors TA.

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  Figure 4. Drug dosage and duration of treatment are shown.

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