While addressing mediapersons here today, Dr Bali said 17-year old Anu was operated 10 days ago. She is the youngest person in the world to be treated for this disease.

Takayasu Arthritis (TA) is an obstructive arthritis disorder affecting mainly medium to large arteries. It has a relatively high incidence in the Asians. Although cases have been reported from all over the world, it affects the aorta and/or its major branches giving rise to end organ hypo perfusion.

The major complications attributed to the disease include Takayasu’s retinopathy, secondary hypertension and arterial aneurysms. It mostly affects young women. The ophthalmic complications generally manifest late in the course of the disease.

In 1997, Anu was treated by Dr Bali. But recently, she started showing its symptoms again. She underwent balloon angioplasty and then the entire diseased segment was treated.

“She experienced some headache after the procedure but now she is fine and completely free of her debilitating symptoms,” said the doctor.