Recurrent first-trimester abortion in a young female: Rare presentation of Takayasu arteritis

Abstract

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic, progressive, autoimmune, idiopathic, and large-vessel vasculitis that usually affects young adults, especially females. TA primarily affects the aorta and its major branches, the coronary arteries, and the pulmonary arteries. Recurrent pregnancy loss is usually defined as three or more consecutive losses occurring at <20 weeks' gestation of a clinically recognized pregnancy. Common causes of recurrent fetal loss include anatomic, chromosomal, hormonal, infectious, or antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. However, to the best of our knowledge, TA causing recurrent fetal loss has not been described in the literature. We present such a rare case of a patient who presented with hemoptysis as her presenting complaint and also had a recurrent first-trimester abortion.

Keywords: Fetal loss; Takayasu arteritis; hemoptysis; iliac arteries.

Figure 1

Axial maximum intensity projection image showing enlarged right main pulmonary artery (starred) with irregular margins (aneurysmal dilatation)

Figure 2

Coronal maximum intensity projection image showing diffuse narrowing of abdominal aorta (black arrow)

Figure 3

Sagittal maximum intensity projection image showing tortuous irregular wall thickening and diffuse narrowing of descending thoracic and abdominal aorta (abd > thoracic), especially in suprarenal abdominal aorta (straight arrows). Note is made of focal wall calcification in proximal descending thoracic aorta (curved arrow)