Endovascular aortic biopsy in the diagnosis of takayasu arteritis

To use a minimally invasive approach to obtain biopsy specimens of the aorta to confirm the diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis and formulate a therapeutic plan.

A 17-year-old woman with lower extremity claudication and a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate had magnetic resonance angiography, which suggested stenotic lesions of the infrarenal aorta and left renal artery. An endovascular biopsy of the aortic lesion was performed under local anesthesia, retrieving sufficient tissue to make the diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis. The patient was discharged the same day.

Endovascular aortic biopsy may be useful in diagnosing Takayasu arteritis and guiding the clinician toward the proper mode of treatment.