Aortographic findings of Takayasu's arteritis

Han, M C; Kim, H L; Chang, K H; Choo, D W

Abstract

Takayasu's arteritis is a stenosing inflammatory process of unknown etiology affecting not only the aorticarch and its branches, but also the abdominal aorta, its branches and the pulmonary arteries. During the periodfrom August 1971 to August 1973, 9 cases with Takayasu's arteritis have been observed in the Seoul NationalUniversity Hospital. The diagnosis was mainly based upon the aortography, which is the only practical method ofdelineating the extent and nature of the vascular involvement. The purpose of this paper is to describe andanalyze the radiographic findings, especially aortographic aspect. The results obtained are as follows; 1. The 9cases are all female and two thirds are under 30 years of age. Headache, dizziness, absent or weak radial pulseand hypertension are the most common symptoms and signs. The laboratory datas are generally unremarkable, exceptelevation of E.S.R. and gamma globulin fraction on electrophoresis. 2. Conventional roentgenography of the chestmay be helpful but not specific in diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis. 3. The aortographic findings arecharacteristic and pathognomonic in diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis. In our cases, the most common findings arestenosis of occlusion of subclavian artery, diffuse narrowing with irregular contour of descending aorta, renalartery involvement, narrowing and aneurysmal dilatation of abdominal aorta, and multiple sites involvement. 4. Therefore, value of total aortographys stressed.