An unusual cause of stroke in a young female

• Published in: The American journal of emergency medicine Vol. 32; no. 6; pp. 685.e3 - 685.e5
• Main Authors: Humayun, Malik Asif, FCPS, MRCP, Masood, Adnan, FCPS, Waseem, Tariq, FCPS, Ahmad, Farina, MBBS, Raza, Tanzeem, MSc, FRCP
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.2014; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Blood pressure; Cardiovascular disease; Carotid Artery, Common - diagnostic imaging; Disease prevention; Embolisms; Emergency; Emergency medical care; Female; Females; Humans; Hypertension; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Medical imaging; Medical prognosis; Medical treatment; Patients; Radiology; Rehabilitation; Stroke; Stroke - diagnosis; Stroke - diagnostic imaging; Stroke - etiology; Takayasu Arteritis - complications; Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Young adults
• ISSN: 0735-6757; 1532-8171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2013.11.039

Takayasu arteritis is a granulomatous vasculitis of medium- to large-sized arteries. Initial presentation is usually with nonspecific constitutional symptoms, but unusually, it can present with acute ischemic features in the advanced disease. We present a case of a young Asian female who presented with acute stroke due to Takayasu arteritis. Involvement of proximal arteries was a source of embolism, which was the most likely cause of stroke in this patient. Patient made a good clinical recovery with a combination of medical treatment and rehabilitation. Takayasu arteritis should be considered as a possibility in all young patients presenting with stroke, as this is fairly responsive to medical management and associated with good clinical outcomes.