A case of MCTD overlapped by Takayasu's arteritis, presenting Raynaud's phenomenon as the initial manifestation of both diseases.
Raynaud's phenomenon is characteristic three-phase color change of digits that occurs when hands are exposed to cold and subsequently rewarmed. Raynaud's phenomenon has many possible causes, but evaluation tends to focus on a few notorious etiologies, such as, connective tissue diseases. Thus, having reached a diagnosis, detailed physical exam to rule out other possible causes is often not performed. The authors present a case of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and Takayasu's arteritis overlap in a woman, who showed Raynaud's phenomenon as an initial manifestation. She was first diagnosed as having MCTD, but her treatment did not improve the persistent Raynaud's phenomenon. Several years later, follow-up chest CT showed underlying Takayasu's arteritis and a subsequent physical examination revealed that typical abnormalities consistent with Takayasu's arteritis were present. The authors advocate thorough history taking and complete physical examinations on a routine basis to help unearth other underlying causes.
Inha University Hospital, Incheon, South Korea.
Mie Jin
MJ
Lim
Seong Ryul
SR
Kwon
Sang Gu
SG
Kim
Won
W
Park
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008947:Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors
D001323:Autoantibodies