Takayasu arteritis presenting with massive cerebral ischemic infarction in a 15-year-old girl: a case report

Takayasu arteritis is a relatively rare type of large-vessel arteritis that primarily affects the aorta and its major branches, the coronary arteries, and the pulmonary arteries. Depending on the different groups of blood vessels involved in the disease process, the clinical presentation of Takayasu arteritis varies. Here we report a case of a girl presenting with a debilitating massive cerebral ischemic infarct that turned out to be a relatively rare first presentation of Takayasu arteritis. Case report of 15 years old adolescent female hailing from lower socio-economic status with past history of chronic headache, no significant family history, completely immunized presented with sudden onset weakness of right upper and lower limbs, which progressed over 1day with aphasia (recovering) with deviation of angle of mouth to left side On examination left radial ,carotid artery not palpable. Her laboratory results showed an elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and subsequent CT angiography demonstrated narrowing and occlusion of the major branches of her aortic arch. We report the case of a patient with Takayasu arteritis presenting with a massive cerebral ischemic infarct and review the current literature on this topic. Conclusion of takayasu arteritis is a relatively rare disease with various and sometimes devastating clinical manifestations, such as massive cerebral ischemic infarction as in our case. Currently, there are multiple diagnostic tools and treatment options available, and more under investigation. Early, appropriate diagnosis and initiation of proper therapy could avoid further progression and reduce complications of the disease.