[Renovascular hypertension due to Takayasu arteritis--a case report]

A 18-year old women with bilateral renal artery stenosis and renovascular hypertension as a part of Takayasu's disease is presented. Takayasu's disease is a chronic arteritis of unknown origin, primary affecting aorta and its branches. The disease is the most common in young women and is more common in the countries of eastern Asia in comparison with Western countries. Takayasu's disease can be severe and lifetreating disease. Mortality and morbidity depend on both the direct effect of the vascular lesions and the complications od disease. The mainstay of Takayasu's disease is based on the use of glucocorticoids alone or in association with cytotoxic drugs (cyclofosfamid, azatioprin, metotrexate). In the majority of cases, the partial control of disease is obtained.