Takayasu's arteritis in Thailand.

Abstract

Takayasu's arteritis is a disease of protean manifestations and worldwide distribution. Geographic difference of the sex incidence, anatomical distribution and the type of lesion is observed. Hypertension is very common in the present series. A combination of absent or deficient peripheral pulses and hypertension is also commonly encountered. These symptoms correlate well with arteriographic findings of brachiocephalic and renal artery obstructive lesions. While aneurysm and stenotic lesions have a predilection for the abdominal aorta, the ascending aorta is commonly dilated and stenosis of the thoracic aorta occurs more often than aneurysm. However aneurysm of the aorta as well as of the brachiocephalic arteries is frequently more developed than in those reports of others. The presence of “funnel-shaped” or triangular configuration resulting from renal artery obstuctive lesions, prestenotic dilatation and/or contiguous aortic aneurysm is emphasized as the most likely characteristic of Takayasu's arteritis occurring in this part of the world. Extensive arterial involvement with evidence of lumbar and intercostal occlusion indicates the seventy of the disease. Total aortography is of value not only for the diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis, but also for demonstration of the anatomical distribution, severity and type of the lesions.