Korean Circ J.  1981 Dec;11(2):1-10. 10.4070/kcj.1981.11.2.1.

Radiologic Findings of Takayasu's Arteritis: An Aortographic Analysis of 75 Cases

• Han MC
• Hong SM
• Park JH

• KMID: 2229755
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.1981.11.2.1

Abstract

Takayasu's arteritis is an arteritis of undetermined etiology, which affects the aorta, the proximal portions of its major branches, and the pulmonary arteries, and causes coarctation, occlusion, or aneurysmal dilatation of the affected vessels. Authors has reported 9 cases in 1973, and another 24 cases in 1977. Thereafter, during next 4 years, authors experienced another 42 cases and obtained some additional results. The results are as follows: 1. Among 75 cases, 10 are male and 65 female patients with sex ratio of 1:6.5, and about 2/3 of total patients are under 30 years of age. 2. Headache, dizziness, absent or weak radial pulse and hypertension are the most common symptoms and signs. 3. Conventional chest roentgenography may be helpful but not specific in diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis. 4. The aortographic findings are characteristic and pathognomonic in diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis. In our series, the most common findings are stenosis or occlusion of subclavian artery, diffuse narrowing and aneurysmal dilatation of abdominal aorta and its branches, narrowing with irregular contour of descending thoracic aorta, and renal artery involvement. 5. Involvement of the aorta was classified as extensive type in 38 cases, descending thoracic and abdominal type in 22 cases and arch type in 15 cases. 6. As total aortography in cluding abdominal aorta uncovers evidence of unsuspected involvement of aorta and its branches, it is of paramount importance in the diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis.

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm
Aorta
Aorta, Abdominal
Aorta, Thoracic
Aortography
Arteritis
Constriction, Pathologic
Diagnosis
Dilatation
Dizziness
Female
Headache
Humans
Hypertension
Male
Pulmonary Artery
Radiography
Renal Artery
Sex Ratio
Subclavian Artery
Takayasu Arteritis*
Thorax