Clinical and Angiographic Features of Nonspecific Aorto-Arteritis in Children and Adults

Abstract

We compared clinical and angiographic features of nonspecific aorto-arteritis in children with those of adult patients. Digital subtraction angiography by i.v. and/or i.a. injection was carried out in 104 patients. In group 1, consisting of 32 patients aged 16 years and younger, hypertension (75%) was the most common clinical feature, followed by diminished pulse, bruit (72% each), congestive cardiac failure (38%), and limb claudication (13%). Obstructing arterial lesions were always present and commonly involved the abdominal aorta (75%), descending thoracic aorta (41%), renal (63%) and subclavian (41%) arteries. In Group 2, consisting of 72 patients more than 16 years of age, arterial bruit (91%), and diminished pulse (82%) were the most common symptoms. Hypertension occurred in 61%, congestive failure in 14%, and limb claudication in 30%. Obstructing lesions were always seen and commonly involved the abdominal aorta (77%) and renal arteries (64%). Involvement of the descending thoracic aorta (26%) was less common but subclavian (57%) and carotid (24%) arteries were more commonly involved than in group 1. Arterial aneurysms and pulmonary involvement were uncommon in both groups. There were some clinical and angiographic differences in nonspecific aorto-arteritis between children and adults but these were statistically insignificant (chi-square test).