Linear Neck Pain and Prolonged Cough Caused by Takayasu Arteritis

The clinical manifestations of Takayasu arteritis (TA) greatly vary, and this ultimately leads to a delay in diagnosis. We describe a case of TA presenting with two coexisting rare symptoms of linear neck pain and prolonged cough. A 28-year-old Japanese female with a six-month history of ulcerative colitis presented with recurrent left neck pain, cough, and fever. The neck pain and fever started five months ago. Her symptoms briefly improved with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy, but eventually recurred one month prior to her latest presentation to the hospital, which was accompanied by a dry cough. Physical examination revealed a blood pressure discrepancy, with systolic blood pressure being >10 mmHg lower in her left arm than in her right arm, a bilateral carotid bruit, a weak left radial pulse and radio-radial delay without coolness in the upper extremities, and linear pulsatile tenderness in her left neck along the common carotid artery. No supraclavicular or infraclavicular bruit was noted. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated at 66 mm/hour. After obtaining the images from a contrast-enhanced computed tomography, she was diagnosed with TA. All her symptoms improved with prednisone therapy. Notably, neck pain and cough are both late-stage symptoms of TA, which are seen in 9.7% and 1.5% of patients, respectively. Although her unspecific symptoms could have been easily misdiagnosed, the recurring exacerbation of symptoms warranted careful attention to a focused physical examination. In conclusion, neck pain and cough are both uncommon presentations of TA, which may lead to physicians underdiagnosing it. It is important to recognize neck pain and cough as presenting complaints in patients with TA.