Pathology case of the month. 39-year-old woman with abdominal pain and weight loss. Takayasu's arteritis (TA).

A 39-year-old white woman presented with a history of aortoiliac occlusive disease diagnosed in 1992 attributed to oral contraceptive use. Shortly thereafter, aortoiliac replacement was performed. Mild hyperlipidemia was diagnosed in 2001. At the current clinic visit, she presented to her primary care physician with a 3-month history of postprandial midepigastric abdominal pain relieved by vomiting and a 30-pound weight loss. Her evaluation included an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, a colonoscopy, and an abdominal ultrasound, all of which were within normal limits. Because of her medical history, the patient underwent an arteriogram, which revealed brachiocephalic stenosis (Figure 1), occlusion of the left subclavian artery (Figures 2a and 2b), and narrowing of the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries (not shown). Since she had discontinued her oral contraceptives in 1992 and her hyperlipidemia was mild, the rheumatology service was consulted to evaluate this patient. On physical examination, she had decreased left brachial and radial pulses and a right carotid bruit. Laboratory evaluation revealed a normal complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C - reactive protein. Subsequent testing included a prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, protein S, protein C, reptilase time, antithrombin III, anticardiolipin antibody, antiphospholipid antibody, lupus anticoagulant, homocysteine, RPR, and a lipid profile. All test results were within normal limits. Due to the severity of her abdominal pain, the patient underwent superior mesenteric artery (SMA) bypass surgery. Sections from the aorta resected in 1992 are shown in Figures 3 and 4.