Takayasu arteritis is a granulomatous vasculitis affecting large vessels (aorta and its major branches) predominantly in young women. The histological hallmark is:

• A Necrotising vasculitis with fibrinoid necrosis of small vessel walls
• B Eosinophilic infiltration of vessel wall with extravascular granulomas
• C Leukocytoclastic vasculitis with IgA deposits in vessel walls
• D Transmural granulomatous inflammation with giant cells in the media and adventitia ✓

Explanation

Takayasu arteritis (pulseless disease) shows transmural granulomatous inflammation of large vessels with Langhans-type giant cells in the media and adventitia, associated with patchy destruction of elastic tissue. Active inflammation leads to stenosis, occlusion, or aneurysm of the aortic arch and its branches. Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis) has similar histology but affects medium-sized cranial vessels in elderly patients.

Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.