PARADOXES OF TAKAYASU'S DISEASE

Takayasu's disease (or arteritis) has been defined as an "idiopathic aortitis usually affecting young women." It can come to light from very spectacular and often quite puzzling clinical manifestations. Six cases of Takayasu's disease were investigated at the UCLA Hospital in the years 1961-1962, and signs and symptoms of central nervous system involvement were found in five of the patients. This relatively high incidence of neurological deficit prompted a review of case reports in the literature and this in turn led to a series of "unexpected" findings in the historical evolution of the illness as well as in its anatomopathological aspects. The study indicated that Takayasu's disease is frequently associated with neurological manifestations, at times very severe. In addition, the disease appears to be far more extensive than its classical description suggests. New criteria for the diagnosis of Takayasu's disease must include, among other things, special emphasis on the disseminated nature of the disease.