Aortic aneurysms of inflammatory origin

Inflammatory aortitis is dominated by Takayasu's disease, Horton's disease and Behçet's disease.Takayasu's disease is an inflammatory arteritis of the large vessels, primarily affecting the aorta and its main branches. It affects young people and manifests itself mainly as multiple arterial stenoses. Behçet's disease is a systemic vasculitis of as yet obscure etiology, progressing in successive attacks and affecting vessels of all calibers. Horton's disease affects the elderly, and is principally responsible for aortic aneurysms, with the risk of rupture a major factor in its severity.Diagnosis of inflammatory aortitis is based on imaging. Currently, echo-Doppler, angiography-CT and MRI are reliable and rapid methods for assessing vessel lumina and walls.