Non-specific arteritis ofhe aorta and its main branches.

Four cases of non-specific arteritis involving the aorta and its main branches are described. Three of the cases were hypertensive and one of these had evidence of aortic incompetence. Cases 1, 2, and 3 had involvement of the aortic arch vessels and the descending aorta, whereas Case 4 presented as a coarctation of the abdominal aorta. There was a significant association with systemic disturbance such as polyarthritis, fever, weight loss, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and hyperglobulinaemia. A detailed necropsy in Case 2 showed two large dissecting aneurysms. The nomenclature, the diagnostic criteria, and a probable pathogenesis of the disease are discussed with reference to the relevant published material.