Takayasu Arteritis Masquerading as Shoulder Pain: A Case Report

Abstract

Takayasu arteritis is a rare progressive chronic granular inflammation of the vessels that mainly affects the aorta and its branches. It is widely distributed in the world population and mainly involves young Asian women, manifesting as a systemic illness with myriads of cardiovascular signs and symptoms. The current case focuses on a young girl who had shoulder pain and weakness as the only manifestation of underlying Takayasu arteritis. Early clinical identification of the disease and control with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs could improve the outcome and prevent devastating sequelae.