[Takayasu disease: an observation in a fourteen-year-old girl (author's transl)].

Takayasu arteritis is a non-specific inflammatory disease of unknown etiology with segmental arteritis of the aorta and its major branches. Though this disease exists throughout the world it is more prevalent in Japan, India and South East Asia. The symptomatology of Takayasu arteritis includes a preocclusive phase with acute systemic manifestations, and an occlusive phase in which ischemic features secondary to arterial occlusion or stenosis dominate the clinical picture. Aortography leads to diagnosis by demonstrating arterial stenosis, and allows an evaluation of the extension of the disease. Deaths are caused mainly by heart failure and cerebral vascular lesions related to hypertension. The cause of the disease remains unknown: tuberculosis and genetic predisposition are the factors most often incriminated. Medical treatment with corticosteroids and antituberculous chemotherapy is useful during the inflammatory phase. Surgery is only warranted when serious complications occur.