Pulmonary infarction as the initial manifestation of Takayasu's arteritis

Intern Med. 2006;45(11):725-8. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.45.1686. Epub 2006 Jul 3.

Abstract

A 50-year-old woman reporting sudden-onset chest pain was diagnosed as having pulmonary infarction associated with Takayasus arteritis. She had experienced moderate malaise and cough for 3 months. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed wedge-shaped infiltrative shadows typical of pulmonary infarction in the right lung. Although pulmonary artery involvement in Takayasus arteritis is well documented, most patients show only signs of mild to moderate pulmonary hypertension. Few reports discuss patients with symptoms due to pulmonary infarction as the initial manifestation. Takayasus arteritis should therefore be considered a differential diagnosis in pulmonary infarction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Artery / pathology
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / pathology
  • Takayasu Arteritis / complications*
  • Takayasu Arteritis / diagnosis*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed