Vasculitis

What Is Vasculitis?

Vasculitis is a group of disorders that involve inflammation of the blood vessels. This inflammation can cause the walls of the blood vessels thicken, weaken, narrow, or scar. As a result, blood flow to tissues and organs may be reduced, potentially causing damage.

Types:

• Giant cell arteritis – often affects arteries in the head, especially the temples
• Takayasu arteritis – affects large arteries like the aorta
• Polyarteritis nodosa – affects medium-sized arteries
• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s) – affects small to medium vessels in lungs, kidneys, and other organs
• Henoch-Schonlein purpura (lgA vasculitis) – common in children, affects skin, joints, intestines, and kidneys

Common Symptoms:

Depend on the organs involved but may include:

• Fever, fatigue, weight loss
• Skin rashes or purpura (purple spots)
• Muscle or joint pain
• Nerve problems (numbness, weakness)
• Organ dysfunction (e.g., kidney failure, lung symptoms)

What Causes Vasculitis?

Often unknown (idiopathic), but can be triggered by infections, autoimmune diseases (like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis), certain medications, or cancers.

Diagnosis

• Blood tests (e.g., inflammatory markers, antibodies like ANCA)
• Imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound)
• Biopsy of affected tissue7
• Urinalysis if kidneys are involved