View source for Vasculitis syndromes

==Background==
[[File:Histopathology of giant cell arteritis.png|thumb|[[Giant cell arteritis]] on histopathology.]]
*Heterogenous group of disorders, clinico-pathologic process characterized by inflammation within walls of blood vessels,  compromise of vessel lumen, and resulting ischemia
*Presentation varies greatly depending on etiology and specific vessels affected
*Classification by size of vessels predominantly involved

{{Primary Vasculitis DDX}}

==Clinical Features==
*[[Fever]]
*[[Arthralgia]]s/[[arthritis]]
*Malaise, fatigue, weight loss

===Large Vessel Vasculitis===
*Limb claudication
*Asymmetric blood pressures
*Diminished or absent peripheral pulses
*Bruits
*[[Aortic regurgitation]]
*Sudden [[vision loss|blindness]] (giant cell arteritis)

===Medium Vessel Vasculitis===
*Cutaneous nodules, livedo reticularis
*Ulcers
*Digital [[gangrene]]
*Mononeuritis multiplex (asynchronous/asymmetric peripheral neuropathy)
*Microaneurysms

===Small Vessel Vasculitis===
*[[Purpura]], [[urticaria]], cutaneous necrotizing granulomas, splinter hemorrhages
*[[Uveitis]] (ciliary spasm, visual changes, limbic redness), [[scleritis]]/[[episcleritis]] (ocular pain, photophobia)
*[[Glomerulonephritis]] ([[hematuria]], [[proteinuria]]
*[[Hemoptysis]], [[Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage]]

==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Purpura DDX}}

==Evaluation==
*Workup dependent on presentation, likely to include at least CBC, ESR, BMP, UA

==Management==
*Treat underlying illness, if known 
*Manage critical complications: see treatment section of [[diffuse alveolar hemorrhage]], [[acute limb ischemia]], [[Kawasaki]]
*For primary vasculitides, this will likely involve an immunosuppressive agent, such as:
**[[Prednisone]]/[[Methylprednisolone]]
**[[Cyclophosphamide]], [[methotrexate]], [[azathioprine]]
**[[Rituximab]]
*May consider [[plasmapheresis]] for severe or rapidly progressive

==Disposition==

==See Also==
*[[Immunocompromised antibiotics]]
*[[Biologic immunomodulators]]

==External Links==

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Rheumatology]] [[Category:Vascular]]