Multiple sclerosis in a patient with Takayasu's Arteritis: A case report.

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) are two autoimmune diseases that affect the Central nervous system (CNS), but the relationship between them has not been established.

CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report the emergence of MS during treatment. Takayasu's arteritis in a 24-year-old Iranian woman with a severe presentation. She was treated aggressively with IV methylprednisolone 1 g/day for 3 days and continued with oral prednisolone, also IV cyclophosphamide monthly. After 2 months, loss of vision led to a diagnosis of Optic neuritis (ON) caused by concomitant MS.

CONCLUSION

Differentiating CNS vasculitis associated with Takayasu's arthritis from coexisting MS affecting the CNS is challenging and what is important is to avoid giving a TNF inhibitor.