Takayasu＇s arteritis associated with Crohn＇s disease

• Published in: Journal of Zhejiang University. B. Science Vol. 10; no. 8; pp. 631 - 634
• Main Author: You-shi LIU You-hong FANG Ling-xiang RUAN You-ming LI Lin LI Ling-ling JIANG
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: 主动脉; 免疫系统; 多发性; 大动脉; 溃疡性结肠炎; 生理机制; 自身免疫
• ISSN: 1673-1581; 1862-1783

Takayasu＇s arteritis （TA）, also known as the ＂pulseless disease,＂ is a chronic vasculitis of the aorta and aortic branches. TA with Crohn＇s disease is rare and has not been documented in China before. In this paper we report on a case of Takayasu＇s arteritis associated with concurrent Crohn＇s disease. A 17-year-old Chinese male developed upper limb sourness and a sensation of fatigue, and his upper limb pulses were absent. He was diagnosed with TA and underwent an axillary artery bypass with autolo- gous great saphenous vein on the left subclavian artery. After the surgery, he regained the normal blood pressure. This patient also had years of diarrhea and developed an anal canal ulcer, and was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis before. Five months after the TA surgery, he was hospitalized for severe stomachache and diarrhea and was finally diagnosed with Crohn＇s disease. The possible pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for concurrent existence of TA and Crohn＇s disease may be associated with immune disorders, especially autoimmunity.