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Females<40yo, "Pulseless disease" (weak upper extremity pulses), fever, night sweats, arthritis, myalgias, skin nodules, ocular disturbances, high ESR. Dx + histo findings ?

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Final answer:

The described symptoms suggest Takayasu arteritis, a chronic inflammatory disease of large blood vessels, affecting young females and characterized by weak upper extremity pulses, fever, arthritis, skin nodules, ocular disturbances, and elevated ESR. Histological findings include inflammation and giant cell infiltration in the vessel walls.

Step-by-step explanation:

The clinical presentation described in the question suggests a diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis, often referred to as "Pulseless disease." This is a rare, chronic inflammatory disease of the large blood vessels, particularly the aorta and its main branches, which can lead to vessel stenosis, occlusion, or aneurysm formation. The disease primarily affects females under 40 years old, and commonly presents with weak or absent upper extremity pulses, systemic symptoms like fever and night sweats, musculoskeletal symptoms such as arthritis and myalgias, skin manifestations like nodules, and various ocular disturbances.

The hallmark histo findings for Takayasu arteritis include inflammation of the vessel wall, primarily involving the media and adventitia layers, with a characteristic giant cell infiltration, although a definitive diagnosis often requires a combination of clinical, imaging, and histological criteria. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is typically elevated, indicating an active inflammatory process.

User Magnus Melwin
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