Association between Takayasu's arteritis and Crohn's disease in two young women: case reports

Among 34 patients under observation, two young women, aged 23 and 24, developed Takayasu's disease (Takayasu's arteritis) associated with Crohn's disease. The typical vascular symptoms of Takayasu's arteritis developed late during a quiescent phase of Crohn's disease. We discuss the usefulness of diagnostic methods, particularly the contribution of duplex Doppler. Currently, this method appears to provide effective diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis although clinical data, including hyposphygmy of the radial arteries and carotidynia (pain appearing along the carotid course) are still fundamental. The possible etiopathogenic relations between these two diseases and correlation of results with those in the literature are discussed (J Mal Vasc 1999; 24: 373-376).