An unusual case of Takayasu arteritis presenting as isolated severe aortic regurgitation: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Takayasu arteritis is a chronic granulomatous vasculitis involving the large vessels, mainly the aorta and its branches. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a young female who presented with severe shortness of breath and easy fatigability. Examination revealed a diastolic murmur and imaging studies revealed a severe aortic regurgitation with aneurysm of the aortic root and ascending aorta. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Modified Bentall's procedure was performed and sample sent for histopathology which showed granulomatous inflammation of the aorta with elastic fibre destruction in the medial layer. Infective causes of aortic aneurysm were ruled out and a diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis was made on the basis of clinical, radiological and histological findings. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the unusual presentation of Takayasu arteritis in which the patient had severe aortic regurgitation and aneurysm of the ascending aorta without steno-occlusive lesion elsewhere.