Which statement best describes fibromuscular dysplasia?

Which statement best describes fibromuscular dysplasia?

• A. It involves irregular thickening of arterial walls leading to stenosis and aneurysm
• B. It is a general atherosclerotic process
• C. It exclusively affects veins
• D. It is limited to the pulmonary arteries

Answer: (B)

Fibromuscular dysplasia is a non-atherosclerotic disease of medium-sized arteries driven by fibrous and muscular thickening of the arterial wall in a segmental pattern. This structural change leads to narrowing (stenosis) of the affected segments and can also cause aneurysmal dilation, giving a characteristic irregular, beaded appearance on imaging. It most often involves renal and carotid arteries, especially in younger women, and is not driven by lipid-rich atherosclerosis. It does not predominantly affect veins, nor is it limited to the pulmonary arteries. So the description that fits best is irregular thickening of the arterial wall with stenosis and potential aneurysm formation.

Fibromuscular dysplasia is a non-atherosclerotic disease of medium-sized arteries driven by fibrous and muscular thickening of the arterial wall in a segmental pattern. This structural change leads to narrowing (stenosis) of the affected segments and can also cause aneurysmal dilation, giving a characteristic irregular, beaded appearance on imaging. It most often involves renal and carotid arteries, especially in younger women, and is not driven by lipid-rich atherosclerosis. It does not predominantly affect veins, nor is it limited to the pulmonary arteries. So the description that fits best is irregular thickening of the arterial wall with stenosis and potential aneurysm formation.