Takayasu's syndrome--evidence for a liver lesion

Liver function tests were carried out in 40 patients with Takayasu's syndrome. The alkaline phosphatase level was elevated in 73% of patients, the SGOT level in 59%, and the lactic dehydrogenase level in 84,6%. In contrast, creatinine phosphokinase levels were elevated in only 23.5% and bilirubin levels were normal in all patients. Histological abnormalities were present in 3 out of 5 patients in whom a biopsy had been performed. These abnormalities may shed light on the aetiology of this syndrome.