Age and sex: young adults (15-45 y/o). Asian females are most frequently affected.

Characterized by ocular disturbances and marked weakening of the pulses in the upper extremities.

Affected vessels: Aortic arch with its main branches and descending aorta. The subclvians and carotids can be involved. The vertebral artery is seldom involved. The tunica media is the primarily affected. There is destruction of the elastic lamellae, lympho- plasmocytic cell infiltration, intimal thickening, and giant cell formation (both foreign body and Langhans' type).

Advential monoclear infiltrate with perivascular cuffing of the vasa vasorum, changes similar to those of syphilitic aortitis. Unlike luetic lesion, there is diffuse monoclear infiltration in the media.

Secondary fibrosis of all layers resulting in narrowing of the lumen and thrombosis can occur. Fibrous thickening of the aortic arch with narrowing or virtual obliteration of the origins of the great vessels arising from the aortic arch.

NeuroLearn NeuroHelp Vascular For Comment: KarMing-Fung@ouhsc.edu