Mesenteric infarction in Takayasu's arteritis treated by thromboendarterectomy and intestinal resection

A 36-year-old woman with a history of left nephrectomy for renovascular hypertension secondary to arterial occlusive lesion of Takayasu's arteritis was re-admitted to our hospital with complaints of postprandial abdominal pain in the sixth post-operative month. On the 14th hospital day, the developing abdominal distension and generalized tenderness suggested a mesenteric vascular occlusion. Following abdominal aortography, emergency surgery was performed. The entire small bowel was edematous and markedly cyanotic with spotted, dark colored areas and the mesentery was pulseless. The patient was successfully treated by thromboendarterectomy at the origin of the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries and the necrotic loop of intestine was then resected 7 days later. Takayasu's arteritis was diagnosed by histological examination of the resected specimens. Although the occurrence of mesenteric infarction secondary to Takayasu's arteritis is rare, the possibility of mesenteric vascular occlusion should be given consideration in the follow-up of patients with Takayasu's arteritis.