Takayasu arteritis is a nonspecific chronic inflammation that occurs in the blood vessel wall and is one of the relatively rare vasculitic syndromes. There are few reports of Takayasu arteritis in the head and neck region. Because this disease exhibits different clinical features depending on the site of the affected blood vessel, establishing a definitive diagnosis is difficult.
We encountered a case diagnosed as Takayasu arteritis based on precise examinations in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery. A 36-year-old woman was examined at several clinics and hospitals because of pain in the right side of her neck and fever, but a diagnosis was not made. During her visit to our department, computed tomographic examination was performed because a diffuse swelling in the right cervical region and tenderness localized around the right common carotid artery were observed. Based on the finding of hypertrophy around the right carotid artery, we suspected Takayasu arteritis, and referred the patient to the department of internal medicine. After diagnosing Takayasu arteritis, steroid therapy was begun, following which, fever and pain improved.
