Aortic occlusion in nonspecific aortoarteritis (Takayasu disease): incidence and spectrum of involvement.

Nonspecific aortoarteritis (Takayasu disease) is a primary arteritis of unknown etiology which commonly involves the aorta, and results in stenosis, occlusion, dilatation or formation of aneurysm in the involved segment. Of these, occlusion is the most rare form of involvement, and is usually reported to occur in the abdominal aorta. Only one case of aortic arch occlusion has been reported. We retrospectively studied the frequency and sites of aortic occlusion in 110 consecutive patients who underwent digital subtraction angiography. Aortic occlusion was seen in three (2.7%) patients, and involved the abdominal aorta in two, and the aortic arch in one patient. The clinical presentation in all three patients was with systemic hypertension and lower limb claudication. The detection and localization of the aortic occlusion is important since this has practical implications in the management of these patients. Intravenous digital subtraction angiography is usually adequate for the diagnostic assessment.