Subclavian Artery Aneurysm due to Takayasu's Arteritis

Takayasu's arteritis is a non-specific inflammatory process that involves the aorta and its main branches, the etiology of which remains unknown. This arteritis occurs predominantly in young Asian women, although there have been many documented cases in males and non-Asians. Criteria for the diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis were developed by The Subcommittee on Classification of Vasculitis of the American College of Rheumatology in 1990, of which a modified version is shown in Table 1. The presence of three or more of the six criteria shown demonstrated a diagnostic sensitivity of 90.5% and a specificity of 97.8%. Takayasu's arteritis is known as 'pulseless disease,' and this non-specific inflammatory arteriopathy typically produces segmental arterial narrowing and occlusion with resultant end-organ ischemic consequences, including upper extremity digital necrosis, stroke, visceral ischemia and renal failure. Previously reported sites of aneurysm formation include the thoracic and abdominal aorta, as well as the innominate, the carotid and the superior mesenteric arteries, but rarely the subclavian artery. A 26-year-old man presented with a progressively enlarging and tender pulsatile mass at the base of the left neck, intermittent Claudication of the upper limbs in association with a decreased brachial artery pulse and a bruit over the subclavian artery. Computed tomography and aortography demonstrated a 4 cmX5 cm aneurysm of the left subclavian artery. There was no evidence of occlusive disease. An aneurysmectomy with 8 mm hemashield graft interposis was performed . Pathology revealed a chronic, active inflammatory process. Aneurysm formation is an unusual complication of Takayasu's arteritis. Emergency department physicians must carefully observed patiens with symptomatic upper extremity pain and paresthesia and must consider whether those symptoms might be due to the formation of a subclavian artery aneurysm due to Takayasu's arteritis

A Significance of Abdominal CT Manifestration Associated with Hypovolemic Shock in Blunt Abdominal Trauma of Children

BACKGROUND: We reviewed retrospectively the clinical features and contrast material-enhanced computed tomography(CT) after blunt abdominal trauma demonstrated a characteristic hypoperfusion complex. Our purpose were to evaluate the hypothesis that children with this 'hypoperfusion complex' CT finding were associated with a tenuous hemodynamic state, severe injury and a poor outcome. METHODS: Between January 1996 and December 1999, 39 consecutive children who sustained blunt trauma and were suspected clinically of having intraabdominal injury underwent CT. Demographic data, blood pressure, indication for CT, pediatric trauma score(PTS) and Glasgow coma score(GCS) were recorded at the time of the initial examination. RESULTS: Three of the 39 children(8%) demonstrated a characteristic finding at CT which was described as the hypoperfusion complex. The 'hypoperfusion complex' was present in the 3 of the 39 traumatized children(8%), but was the main radiographic finding in the 3 of the 14 children with a severe pediatric trauma score(PTS<8) and in the 3 of the 6 children with a Glasgow coma score(GCS<8) who were examined with CT. CONCLUSION: The CT finding in all children with the hypoperfusion complex by definition included marked, diffuse dilatation of the intestine with fluid; abnormally intense contrast enhancement of the bowel wall, mesentery, kidney and/or pancreas; decreased caliber of the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava(IVC); and moderate to large peritoneal fluid collection. This 'hypoperfusion complex' is a relatively rarely observed in injured children but appears to be associated with severe injury and a poor outcome. The pediatric trauma score provides a useful profile of injury severity in children. Prompt diagnosis of hypovolemic shock is important so that supportive therapy can be instituted to prevent further metabolic abnormalities and their potential cardiotoxic effects. In summary, the intense multiorgan enhancement pattern seen in the hypoperfusion complex indicates tenuous hemodynamic stability and is associated with a poor outcome.