Vasculitis (inflammation of the arteries)

Description The walls of blood ...

Description

The walls of blood vessels are damaged by inflammation. The arteries are primarily involved leading to decrease blood flow. This decreased blood flow causes the damage and symptoms experienced. Vasculitis can involve large or small blood vessels in any area of the body. Examples of vasculitis include giant cell arteritis, temporal arteritis, ANCA positive vasculitis (granulomatosis with polyangiitis), and small vessel vasculitis (Henoch-Schonlein purpura, lupus).

Symptoms

Symptoms involve any body part being supplied by the affected artery. Symptoms include: skin rash, painful spots on fingers or toes that turn blue, ulcers that do not heal, joint pain, abdominal pain, numbness and/or tingling in an arm or leg, decrease function of an arm or leg, fever, headache, seizures.

Tests

Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment

Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. A series of special blood tests and a biopsy can help identify the exact type of vasculitis.

Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Urinalysis (UA), X-ray

Other Specific Tests: Biopsy of the artery, skin biopsy, nerve biopsy, ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), hepatitis profile, blood test for antibodies against neutrophils (ANCA antibodies)

Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Pediatric Rheumatology

Treatment

Therapy is aimed at reducing the inflammation in the arteries. Treatment depends on the location and extent of the disease. Corticosteroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone) are almost always used. For severe vasculitis, cyclophosphamide/Cytoxan, rituximab (Rituxan) or mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) is often necessary.