Vasculitis is a general term for a group of uncommon diseases that feature inflammation of the blood vessels. The blood vessels of the body are referred to as the vascular system. The blood vessels are comprised of arteries that pass oxygen-rich blood to the tissues of the body and veins that return oxygen-depleted blood from the tissues to the lungs for oxygen. Vasculitis is characterized by inflammation in and damage to the walls of various blood vessels.

Each of the vasculitis diseases is defined by certain patterns of distribution of blood vessel involvement, particular organ involvement, and laboratory test abnormalities. As a group, these diseases are referred to as vasculitides.

The word vasculitis is derived from the Latin “vasculum”, vessel + “- itis”, inflammation. Another term for vasculitis is angiitis. When arteries are the inflamed blood vessels, the condition is also referred to as arteritis. When the veins are inflamed, it is referred to as venulitis.

The actual cause of these vasculitis diseases is usually not known. However, immune system abnormality and inflammation of blood vessels are common features. Each form of vasculitis has its own characteristic pattern of symptoms, much of which depends on what particular organs are affected.

Examples of vasculitis include:

• Kawasaki disease,
• Behçet’s disease,
• polyarteritis nodosa,
• Wegener’s granulomatosis,
• Cryoglobulinemia,
• Takayasu’s arteritis,
• Churg-Strauss syndrome,
• Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis), and
• Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

 

The actual cause of these vasculitis diseases is usually not known. However, immune system abnormality and inflammation of blood vessels are common features. Each form of vasculitis has its own characteristic pattern of symptoms, much of which depends on what particular organs are affected.

Examples of vasculitis include:

• Kawasaki disease,
• Behçet’s disease,
• polyarteritis nodosa,
• Wegener’s granulomatosis,
• Cryoglobulinemia,
• Takayasu’s arteritis,
• Churg-Strauss syndrome,
• Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis), and
• Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Vasculitis can also accompany:

• Infections (such as hepatitis B),
• Exposure to chemicals (such as amphetamines and cocaine),
• Medications,
• Cancers (such as lymphomas and multiple myeloma), and
• Rheumatic diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Treatments:

The treatment of the various forms of vasculitis is based on the severity of the illness and the organs involved. 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 (Cytoxan) and others, are considered. Additionally, affected organs (such as the heart or lungs) may require specific medical treatment when the disease is active.

The management of vasculitis is an evolving field in medicine. The ideal programs for monitoring and treatment will continue to improve as disease patterns and causes are defined by medical research.