Takayasu arteritis with endobronchial involvement

Abstract

Introduction: Takayasu arteritis is a large vessel vasculitis especially seen in young women. Because of nonspecific symptoms diagnosis is difficult and confused with other diseases. Delayed treatment increase morbidity and mortality. It effects primarly pulmonary artery in lung involvement. Aims and Objectives: To our knowledge endobronchial involvement of takayasu arteritis has not been reported previously in the literature. Due to rarity we present our case. Material and Methods: Twentyeight years old , female patient was admitted with cough, night sweats, fatigue and anorexia. No pathology was observed in lung parenchyma and pulmonary arteries in Thorax CT. With fiberoptic bronchoscopy, diffuse micronoduler lesions were seen and histopathological examinations of these nodules revealed granulomatous inflammation. For differiantial diagnosis all examinations including ARB was found negative. PET CT screening revealed diffuse hypermetabolic appearance in archus aorta and descending thoracic aorta. Concentric thickening of aortic wall was detected in further screening with MR angiograhy. With these findings, diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis was established in 9 months. Results: Takayasu Arteritis can mimic other granulomatous diseases with nonspecific symptoms of cough, fever, fatigue and weight loss. Conclusion: Endobronchial involvement of Takayasu Arteritis can be seen with no involvement of pulmonary artery.