Takayasu's Arteritis (Pulseless Disease) in Uganda

We report herein the case of a 23 year old woman who was referred to Mulago National Referral and Faculty of Medicine Makerere University Teaching Hospital because of sudden collapse, left sided weakness and headache for management. The patient underwent a battery of investigations but died five days after admission. The post mortem findings were extensive infarction of the right cerebrum extending from parietal to occipital lobes. There was thickening of the wall and complete obliteration of the right common carotid artery. The left common carotid artery was severely stenosed with marked thickening of the wall. The left subclavian artery was thickened and completely obliterated. Microscopically there was intimal thickening by fibrous connective tissue and infiltrate of chronic inflammatory cells in the walls of the three affected branches of the oarta. These gross and microscopic features were compatible with Takayasu’s arteritis (TA).