Abstract
We report a case of Takayasu Arteritis (TA) with positive anti-U1-RNP antibodies. In June 2004, a 68-year-old man was referred to the Iwate Prefectural Miyako Hospital because of leukocytosis, increased C-reactive protein (CRP) and blood pressure discrepancy. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and angiography examination demonstrated marked constrictions of his left subclavian artery, left vertebral artery, anterior descending branch of left coronary artery and bilateral common iliac arteries near their origins. Contrasted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed gadolinium enhancement on the abdominal aortal wall. Lung perfusion scintigraphy showed defects in the anterior segment of the left superior lobe and the lateral basal segment of the left inferior lobe. Laboratory studies revealed positive result for rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-U1-RNP antibody, anti-cardiolipin antibody, 40KDa-band of anti-endothelium antibody and HLA B51.However no other abnormal findings compatible with the diagnosis of mixed connected tissue disease (MCTD), Sjögren syndrome (SjS), Behçet disease or other collagen disease were seen. In October 2004, percutaneus transluminal angioplasty was performed by vasculostents due to the very small orifices of the common iliac arteries, and treatment with ticlopidine was started. Thereafter no symptoms of TA occurred. Since March 2005, The CRP level fell below the normal threshold. TA usually coexists with 74Kda-band of anti-endothelium antibodies, but rarely coexists with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other autoimmune disease, and with positive specific antinucleolar antibodies. Therefore, this study seemed to report a rare case.
