CTA of a patient with Takayasu arteritis (pulseless disease).

Granulomatous inflammatory vasculitis affects walls of medium and large vessels. Marked intimal proliferation and fibrosis lead to occlusion and narrowing of aorta and involved arteries; aneurysms may also be found.

Age: 90% < 30 years (in contradistinction to all other arteritides).

More common in females. M:F 1:8

Types

• type 1: aortic arch
• type 2: abdominal aorta
• type 3: entire aorta
• type 4: pulmonary arteries

Radiographic features

• stenoses of arch vessels (most common)
• stenosis and occlusion of aorta (may mimic coarctation)
• thickening of aortic wall
• pulmonary artery involvement, 50%
• abdominal aorta coarctation and renal artery stenoses