Some Radiological Observations in Aortitis

A Recent publication (Isaacson, Klachko, Wayburne and Simson, 1959) described in some detail aortitis occurring in Bantu children. The symptoms of hypertension were the major presenting features, while the gross pathology showed a severe arteritis of the aorta, with aortic dilatation, thickening and loss of elasticity and a fairly abrupt transition to normal tissue. The intima was thickened and organised thrombi were found. Histologically there was a panarteritis, with infiltration of the media and adventitia by lymphocytes, histiocytes and plasma cells, destruction of the muscle and elastic fibres and superimposed thrombosis. A Bantu child of eight years, believed to have this type of aortitis came under the observation of the X-ray department. Some radiological features of this aortitis and an aortogram are described.