Abstract

EL Ouazzani Taybi Habiba*, Himmich Mohamed, Bengebara Omar, Moutei Hassan, Bennis Ahmed, Chraibi Fouad, Abdellaoui Meriem and Benatiya Andaloussi Idriss

ABSTRACT

Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory granulomatous vasculitis that affects large and medium arterial vessels. The disease involves especially subclavian arteries and aortic branches, but it can affect of any artery. The major pathology is granulomatous panarteritis with intimal proliferation and defects the elastic lamina of the vessels. The diagnosis of TA is a challenge, particularly in its initial phase. We report here the case of a patient with undiagnosed takayasu arteritis associated with pulmonary tuberculosis who presented with chronic unilateral inflammatory exophthalmos, and a subsequent diagnosis of an inflammatory pseudotumor of the orbit. In this case, we believe that extensive blood vessel involvement may be related to pseudotumor formation in Takayasu's arteritis. Because this is an unusual and unreported presentation of the disease, a better estimate of the causal relationship may be possible in the future with additional information. In conclusion, although uncommon, this case highlights that an orbital pseudotumor may be an important finding in Takayasu arteritis. For early diagnosis, better treatment, and a good prognosis, it should be considered in patients presenting with ocular symptoms similar to those of the other vasculitis.