Pulmonary infarction as the initial manifestation of Takayasu's arteritis

Abstract

A 50-year-old woman reporting sudden-onset chest pain was diagnosed as having pulmonary infarction associated with Takayasu's arteritis. She had experienced moderate malaise and cough for 3 months. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed wedge-shaped infiltrative shadows typical of pulmonary infarction in the right lung. Although pulmonary artery involvement in Takayasu's arteritis is well documented, most patients show only signs of mild to moderate pulmonary hypertension. Few reports discuss patients with symptoms due to pulmonary infarction as the initial manifestation. Takayasu's arteritis should therefore be considered a differential diagnosis in pulmonary infarction. © 2006 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.