Takayasu arteritis

• ding-dong association: “pulseless disease”

• young women, most often Asian, and typically of Japanese descent

• granulomatous inflammation of medium to large arteries—aortic arch and carotid

Grossly

• carotid artery has been occluded

Microscopy

• inflammation of the arterial adventitia and media

• can be granulomatous just like giant cell arteritis, so when comparing a case of Takayasu arteritis with giant cell arteritis, refer to the patient’s age

• later stages: collagenous fibrosis

Histology

• giant cell is seen in the media of the artery

Clinical features

• low blood pressure and weak distal pulses

• ocular disturbances

• distal aortic involvment: claudication, pain in calves

• renal artery involvement: hypertension

• variable disease course

Category: Medical Subject Notes , Pathology Notes