Vasculitis

Diagnosis and classification of vasculitis is based on the findings at biopsy of the affected tissue/organ, together with the clinical picture and the results of Antineutrophil cytoplasmic Ab (ANCA).

Extent of disease is assessed by diagnostic imaging; Creatinine, Urea, Alkaline phosphatase, Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Gamma glutamyltransferase.

Activity of disease is evaluated by C-Reactive protein, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, occasionally Complement components C3 and C4.

Investigation for the underlying cause may include Rheumatoid factor, Cryoglobulins, Protein electrophoresis, Antinuclear Ab, Hepatitis B serology, Hepatitis C serology, and HIV testing.

Systemic necrotising

Clinical assessment. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic Ab and complement assist in the differentiation of Polyarteritis nodosa, and other vasculitides, from ANCA positive vasculitides that involve a broader range of vessels.

Polyarteritis nodosa

Microscopic polyangiitis

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (Kawasaki's disease)

Churg-Strauss syndrome

Small vessel, including leucocytoclastic

Drug reaction, especially

• Frusemide
• Thiazides
• Allopurinol

Connective tissue diseases, especially 

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• SLE

Henoch-Schonlein purpura

See also Glomerulonephritis (GN)

Cryoglobulinaemia

Large vessel, especially

Giant cell arteritis

• Temporal arteritis

Thrombo-angiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease)

Takayasu's disease

Erythema nodosum

Behcet's syndrome