Vasculitis

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Vasculitis
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 I77.6, I80., L95., M30.-M31.
ICD-9 446, 447.6
DiseasesDB 13750
MeSH D014657

Vasculitis (plural: vasculitides)[1] refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders that are characterized by inflammatory destruction of blood vessels.[2] Both arteries and veins are affected. Lymphangitis is sometimes considered a type of vasculitis.[3] Vasculitis is primarily due to leukocyte migration and resultant damage.

Although both occur in vasculitis, inflammation of veins (phlebitis) or arteries (arteritis) on their own are separate entities.

Contents

[edit] Classification

There are many ways to classify vasculitis.

  • It can be classified by the underlying cause. For example, the cause of syphilitic aortitis is infectious (aortitis simply refers to arteritis of the aorta, which is an artery.) However, the cause of many forms of vasculitis are poorly understood. There is usually an immune component, but the trigger is often not identified. In these cases, the antibody found is sometimes used in classification, as in ANCA-associated vasculitides.
  • It can be classified by the location of the affected vessels. For example, ICD-10 classifies "vasculitis limited to skin" with skin conditions (under "L"), and "necrotizing vasculopathies" with musculoskeletal system and connective tissue conditions (under "M"). Arteritis/phlebitis on their own are classified with circulatory conditions (under "I").
  • Vasculitides can be classified by the type or size of the blood vessels that they predominantly affect.[4] Apart from the arteritis/phlebitis distinction mentioned above, vasculitis is often classified by the caliber of the vessel affected. However, it should be noted that there can be some variation in the size of the vessels affected.

[edit] Conditions

Some disorders have vasculitis as their main feature, including:

There are many conditions that have vasculitis as an accompanying or atypical symptom, including:

[edit] Symptoms

Possible symptoms include: [5]

[edit] Diagnosis

[edit] Treatment

Treatments are generally directed toward stopping the inflammation and suppressing the immune system. Typically, cortisone-related medications, such as prednisone, are used. Additionally, other immune suppression drugs, such as cyclophosphamide and others, are considered. Additionally, affected organs (such as the heart or lungs) may require specific medical treatment intended to improve their function during the active phase of the disease.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Vasculitis - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Vasculitis. Retrieved 2009-01-08. 
  2. ^ "Glossary of dermatopathological terms. DermNet NZ". http://dermnetnz.org/pathology/pathology-glossary.html. Retrieved 2009-01-08. 
  3. ^ Vasculitis at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  4. ^ Jennette JC, Falk RJ, Andrassy K, et al. (1994). "Nomenclature of systemic vasculitides. Proposal of an international consensus conference". Arthritis Rheum. 37 (2): 187–92. doi:10.1002/art.1780370206. PMID 8129773. 
  5. ^ "The John Hopkins Vasculitis Center - Symptoms of Vasculitis". http://vasculitis.med.jhu.edu/whatis/symptoms.html. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
v • d • e
Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (integumentary system) (L, 680-709)
Infections
General
Bullous
disorders
Inflammatory
Other erythema
Radiation-related
disorders
Pigmentation/
Dyschromia
Other skin
Connective
tissues
integument, SF, LCT navs: anat/physio, noncongen/congen/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc
v • d • e
Systemic CT disorders (M32-M36, 710)
Mixed connective tissue disease
Other hypersensitivity/autoimmune
Other
muscle, DF+DRCT navs: anat/hist/physio, acquired myopathy/congenital myopathy/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc
v • d • e
Inflammation
Acute
Chronic
Processes
Specific types
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