SUCCESSFUL BALLOON DILATION OF AN ABDOMINAL COARCTATION OF THE AORTA IN A PATIENT WITH PRESUMED TAKAYASU-AORTITIS

An 11-year-old male with a severe abdominal aortic coarctation, presum ably secondary to aortitis, underwent successful percutaneous balloon dilation that resulted in near-complete relief of the obstruction. Int ravascular ultrasound imaging showed a major endovascular tear immedia tely following dilation and satisfactorily excluded significant branch (superior mesenteric) artery compromise. Arterial remodeling was demo nstrated with persistence of the gradient relief over a 12-month follo w-up period. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.