An unusual clinical manifestation of Takayasu's arteritis: spinal cord compression

Joint Bone Spine. 2009 Mar;76(2):209-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2008.09.007. Epub 2008 Dec 13.

Abstract

Takayasu's arteritis is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis, involving mainly the aorta and its main branches and the pulmonary arteries, with characteristic of stenotic and occasionally dilated lesions. Neurologic manifestations of Takayasu's arteritis range from simple headache to catastrophic neurologic impairments, including visual loss, stroke and transient ischemic attack. However, spinal cord compression has never been described as a complication of Takayasu's arteritis. We describe a case of Takayasu's arteritis complicated by spinal cord compression due to thoracolumbar inflammatory epiduritis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Epidural Space / pathology*
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurosyphilis / complications
  • Neurosyphilis / drug therapy
  • Neurosyphilis / pathology
  • Penicillins / therapeutic use
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Spinal Cord Compression / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology
  • Takayasu Arteritis / complications
  • Takayasu Arteritis / diagnosis*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Penicillins
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisolone
  • Azathioprine