Takayasu´s arteritis is briefly defined as an inflammatory process of unknown etiology occurring almost exclusively in young females and most commonly involving the great vessels arising, from the aortic arch resulting in stenosis and,eventually in obliteration or thrombosis. Takayasu´s arteritis has been encountered in most countries. in the world, particularly the Far East, India and Africa. The classical, clinical picture is characterized by absence of pulses in the upper extremities, occular changes, and neurological manifestations. But the clinical symptoms are very variable and´the labora tory findings are nonspecific. Comfirmation and localization of the lesions is accomplished by, aor tography which is of primary diagnostic importance, providing information not obtainable by any other method.
Clinical observations were made, in 18 cases ´ of Takayasu´s arteritis studied at the Yonsei Medical Center from January, 1964 to May 1975. The extent of the, involvement of the aorta was classified on aortographic examination in 15 cases, and from the clinical manifestations in 3. The following results were obtained:
I. Five of the eighteen cases were ´male and thirteen female, of which ratio was I 2.6. Their ages ranged from 6 years to 58 years; the mean
age, was 27. 5 years.
2. The most common compiaint~ were exertional dyspnea,, headache,; muscular- we: knes , tingling . sensation and local´ pain in order of frequency.
3. The :radial and brachial ´puts-s w-re absent or diminished´ bilaterally. in 3, cas.s, oily in . the right upper extremity in 3 cases nd i the left upper extremity in 6 cases. There -as ´ she absence of pulses in the lower extremities in 7 ases.
4. Hypertention was observed in 11 c: ses in this series. .In three of 11 cases, there ereotal occulusion of renal artery and the atro,y of the kidney in the involving side by aortograpy.
5. Eosinophilia(more. than 5%) ´ecu ed in eleven. Six of 8 cases studied had m-derat elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation ate. C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor wer de ´onstrated in one of 4 cases studied.
6. Invovvment of the aorta was ch ssifi-d as: type I (Shimizu-Sano or arch type) i 9 c : ses, type II (Kimoto variety or atypical coar.tatio´ of aorta) in 6 cases and. type I(Inada or ex, ensiv type). in 3 cases.
7.. Pathologic examination was perf o rimed in eight cases. The characteristic micro scopi findings were diffuse swelling and ;thicken ng f intima with thrombosis, infiltration of ch onic nflamma tory cells in the media and adventi ´a, .s vere ;. disruption . o f , elastic fibers, and. adve´ titiall fibrosis,, which were compatible with Takayasu sarteritis.
$. Five cases underwent operatio o s, 1-,paratomy in 2 . because off diffuse involve entndlocal resection and:dacron graft in 3. Pr-dnisilone was given in, 3 cases without benefit.
9.: During hospitalization two cases . expired. due to cerebral embolism and congestive he: failure. Autopsy of a 17 year old boy who led if congestive heart failure revealed partial , obstraction : of the both subclavian, right and infe ior. io esenteric arteries.
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