Aortitis syndrome (Takayasu's arteritis) with cataract and elevated serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor.
The aortitis syndrome is a chronic inflammatory process that affects the aorta and its primary branches. Patients with aortitis syndrome exhibit various ocular changes. We present a patient in whom cataract was the initial objective finding. The serum concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor, a cytokine that affects neovascularization, and vasopermeability, was elevated before the initiation of prednisolone treatment. Cataract should be considered as a possible characteristic initial finding in patients with aortitis syndrome. Vascular endothelial growth factor may be involved in the progression of aortitis syndrome.
Harada
M
M
Second Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan.
Yoshida
H
H
Mitsuyama
K
K
Sakamoto
M
M
Koga
H
H
Matsuo
K
K
Teshima
Y
Y
Ikeda
E
E
Sakisaka
S
S
Sata
M
M
Tanikawa
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000792:Angiography; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002386:Cataract / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D011239:Prednisolone; D000527:Alprostadil; C059238:limaprost