Abdominal Takayasu's aortitis, the middle aortic syndrome and atherosclerosis. A critical review

To review the current status of clinical, pathological and arteriographic aspects of abdominal Takayasu's aortitis (TA). Personal experience with 86 patients with TA and review of the literature is the basis of this report. The diagnostic significance of primary versus secondary atherosclerosis is described in this communication and the arteriographic differential diagnostic guidelines are provided to separate abdominal TA from abdominal atherosclerosis.