Vasculitis is an umbrella term used for a number of diseases, all of which are characterized by inflammation of the blood vessel walls. It is not a common set of diseases, but it is definitely a cause for concern. Some forms of this condition include Wegener's granulomatosis, Behcet's disease, Kawasaki disease, Churg-Strauss syndrome, Henoch Schonlein purpura, and Takayasu's arteritis. It can also be called angiitis, and more specific subgroups can be called arteritis if the arteries are inflamed or venulitis if the veins are inflamed.
The root cause of vasculitis is unknown, although in many cases it is related to immune damage. Different forms require different treatments, but in general, a steroid treatment is used at some point to aid recovery. Medications such as prednisone can be used in the initial treatment, as can immune suppressants such as Cytoxan. Treatment of this condition is still evolving in the modern medical field, but for the most part, all treatments focus on reducing inflammation in the arteries and targeting the organs that have been affected and helping them function better.
This condition is generally divided into three main categories: small vessel, medium vessel, and large vessel vasculitis. The small vessel type includes Churg-Strauss syndrome and Henoch Schonlein purpura and can attack blood vessels in organs such as the skin and lungs. Medium-vessel vasculitis includes Wegener's granulomatosis and attacks medium-sized arteries, such as those of the heart and respiratory system. The large vessel type includes Takayasu's arteritis and primarily affects the vessels of the aorta.
The initial diagnosis of vasculitis is usually achieved through laboratory work done on blood or other body fluids. Depending on the shape, irregularities can appear in any number of organs. Once vasculitis is suspected, the initial diagnosis is confirmed or rejected based on a tissue biopsy of the indicated organ. If the diagnosis is confirmed, an inflammation of the blood vessels will be evident. An alternative to a physical biopsy for medium and large vasculitis is a type of x-ray known as arteriography, but in general, a biopsy is preferred to provide more evidence.
Vasculitis can appear to develop spontaneously, or it can accompany other medical conditions or high-risk activities. These include certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma; rheumatoid diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis; the use of some chemicals, such as cocaine; and certain infections, most commonly hepatitis B.