Challenges in Diagnosis and Management of Takayasu Arteritis: A Case Report Highlighting Vascular Complications and Delayed Recognition

Abstract

Takayasu arteritis is a rare systemic inflammatory condition that primarily affects medium and large arteries, mainly in young Asian women with an estimated incidence of 1–2 per million. Diagnosis is challenging due to nonspecific early symptoms, resulting in an insidious clinical course until vascular complications arise. A 30-year female presented with progressive easy fatigue over 4 years. She developed recent visual disturbances, headaches, and dizziness. Examination revealed unrecordable blood pressures and vascular bruits. Imaging revealed vascular involvement including stenosis of arch of aorta and its all branches. The available treatments can ease symptoms and slow progression, but the late diagnosis caused lifelong morbidity, with no procedure to resolve persistent fatigue. TA poses diagnostic challenges due to its nonspecific early symptoms and risk of severe vascular complications. This case highlights the importance of considering TA in young women with vague systemic inflammatory symptoms.