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Vasculitis

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Vasculitis describes a condition in which there is inflammation of the blood vessels. They may be damaged by the inflammatory process.

Vasculitis can be primary, or secondary (as a result of infection, or in association with some chronic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis).

Epidemiology

Vasculitis is rare. Around 3,000 people in the UK develop one of its various forms every year.1

Aetiology
Classification

Many attempts have been made to classify this group of diseases and several classifications are in existence. One of the simplest being that which classifies them according to the size of the vessel involved.

Size of vessel
involved in vasculitis
Small vessel vasculitis
(Sometimes referred to as hypersensitivity vasculitis or Cutaneous leukocytoclastic angiitis/vasculitis (LCV))
Medium sized vessel vasculitis Large vessel vasculitis
i.e. Aorta and major branches
Presentation
  • Palpable purpura 1-3mm
    (may join to form plaques ±ulcer)
  • Tiny papules
  • Splinter haemorrhages
  • Urticaria
  • Vesicles
  • Livedo reticularis (rare)
  • Ulcers
  • Digital infarcts
  • Nodules
  • Livedo reticularis
  • Papulo- necrotic lesions
  • Hypertension
    (damage to the renal vessels)
  • End-organ ischaemia
    e.g. TIA/CVE
  • Hypertension
  • Aneurysms
  • Dissection,
    ±haemorrhage or rupture
Differential diagnosis
Presentation

Vasculitis can affect any system producing an almost infinite range of symptoms. Frequently however, the initial presentation of a vasculitis will be as a skin lesion.

Diagnosis of the skin lesion can provide information as to what calibre of vessel may be involved, potential diagnosis, and where else in the body evidence of vasculitis should be sought (see below).2,3

Full history should be taken particularly with respect to:

  • Length of symptoms/signs
  • Recent illness
  • Recent exposure to drugs, vaccines and chemicals
  • Other symptoms e.g. arthralgia, cough, ENT symptoms, numbness and paraesthesia
  • Detailed review of all systems

In view of the systemic nature of many vasculitic diseases, a complete physical examination should be carried out including central nervous system and ENT examination.

Investigations

All patients suspected of having a vasculitic lesion should have the following investigations performed:

  • FBC and differential cell count
  • U&Es
  • Liver function tests
  • Urine culture, microscopy
  • Urine dip test for glucose, protein and blood
  • Hepatitis serology (Types B and C are associated with PAN and mixed cryoglobulinaemia respectively)
  • Cryoglobulins
  • Compliment levels
  • Rheumatoid factor
  • CXR

Also consider:

  • Cardiac echo and blood cultures if cardiac murmur present.
  • Anti nuclear antibodies (ANA) if medium sized vessel involvement and any suggestion of connective tissue disease.
  • Skin biopsy taken during the acute stage.
Differential diagnosis

There are several other conditions which may mimic cutaneous vasculitis and these must be considered when arriving at a diagnosis. Some of the more common ones include:

Management

Approximately 50% of patients presenting with cutaneous vasculitis will have a treatable cause. The treatment will vary considerably according to the underlying cause:

  • Avoiding the precipitating factor, such as drugs or chemicals.
  • Treatment with corticosteroids, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine and other chemotherapeutic agents.4 Treatment is based on the organs affected and the overall condition of the patient.
  • In general, corticosteroids are administered to control acute symptoms and laboratory evidence of systemic inflammation. After control is achieved, attempts may be made to taper dosing over a month.
  • For patients with renal or CNS involvement, immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate or tumour necrosis factor blockade5 is used.6 Use of immunosuppressants and biological agents also enables reduction in steroid dose.
  • Morbidity due to cumulative corticosteroid dose (as well as toxicity from immunosuppression) must be weighed in the long-term plan of care.

Surgical

Stenting of stenotic vessels is increasingly used. Balloon dilatation has also been used to improve renovascular flow.
Patients with Wegeners granulomatosis may develop subglottic stenosis, which is amenable to balloon dilatation.

Follow-up
  • ESR may be used as a marker of disease activity.
  • Patients with elevated c-ANCA titres may have normal levels during periods of disease control and increasing ones with disease activity.
Prognosis

This is related to the degree of end-organ involvement.

Complications
  • Renal insufficiency
  • Digital gangrene
  • Pulmonary haemorrhage
  • Central nervous system infarction
  • Arterial or venous thrombosis
  • Subglottic stenosis


Document references
  1. Scott D; Arthritis Research Campaign. Vasculitis.
  2. Fiorentino DF; Cutaneous vasculitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003 Mar;48(3):311-40. [abstract]
  3. Hautmann G, Campanile G, Lotti TM; The many faces of cutaneous vasculitis. Clin Dermatol. 1999 Sep-Oct;17(5):515-31.
  4. Gibson LE; Cutaneous vasculitis update. Dermatol Clin. 2001 Oct;19(4):603-15, vii. [abstract]
  5. Lamprecht P, Voswinkel J, Lilienthal T, et al; Effectiveness of TNF-alpha blockade with infliximab in refractory Wegener's granulomatosis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2002 Nov;41(11):1303-7. [abstract]
  6. Hom C; Vasculitis and Thrombophlebitis. eMedicine. December 2008.

Internet and further reading Acknowledgements EMIS is grateful to Dr Hayley Willacy for writing this article. The final copy has passed scrutiny by the independent Mentor GP reviewing team. ©EMIS 2009.
DocID: 1728
Document Version: 22
DocRef: bgp1183
Last Updated: 17 Jan 2009
Review Date: 17 Jan 2011

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

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