Page 39 - The Vasculitides, Volume 1: General Considerations and Systemic Vasculitis

In: The Vasculitides, Volume 1 ISBN: 978-1-63463-110-5
Editors: David S. Younger © 2015 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Chapter 2

Overview of Primary and
Secondary Vasculitides

David S. Younger, M.D., M.P.H.?

Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine,
New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, US

Abstract

The systemic vasculitides are heterogeneous clinicopathologic disorders that share
the common feature of vascular inflammation. The resulting disorder can vary depending
upon involvement of specific organs, caliber of blood vessels, the underlying
inflammatory process, and individual host factors. The cumulative result is diminished
blood flow, vascular alterations and eventual occlusion with variable ischemia, necrosis
and tissue damage. An international revised nomenclature system based on the current
state of knowledge provides clinicians and investigators alike with the necessary
nosology and findings relevant to classify each of the vasculitides. This chapter is an
introduction and overview of the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, laboratory
evaluation, and treatment of systemic and nervous system vasculitides.

Introduction

The term vasculitides refers to heterogeneous disorders characterized by vascular
inflammation affecting vessels of different sizes from large arteries to capillaries or tiny
venules. This leads to diminished blood flow or vessel occlusion resulting in ischemia,
necrosis and subsequent tissue damage. Blood vessels themselves can also be damaged in
vasculitis resulting in permanent stenosis, aneurysmal change or rupture.

? Corresponding author: David S. Younger, M.D., M.P.H., 333 East 34th Street. New York NY 10016. E-mail:
[email protected].

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