Takayasu disease revealed by bilateral loss of vision

Takayasu arteritis is a nonspecific granulomatous inflammatory arteriopathy of unknown cause, most frequently diagnosed in young Asian women. The authors present an atypical initial presentation of Takayasu disease with bilateral loss of vision in a young Haitian man.

Case report.

The presenting feature was bilateral loss of vision, a result of malignant hypertensive retinopathy and choroidopathy. Systemic evaluation disclosed inflammatory signs and renal artery obstruction which caused the malignant hypertension.

This case, involving an unusual presentation of Takayasu disease, illustrates how a malignant hypertensive retinopathy and choroidopathy led to the ultimate diagnosis of Takayasu disease.