Small vessel vasculitis is inflammation of small blood vessels, which can have various causes and symptoms. Diagnosis can be difficult, and treatment involves medication to suppress inflammation and medical support for specific issues. Some conditions that can cause small vessel vasculitis require additional treatment to prevent recurrence.
Small vessel vasculitis refers to inflammation of blood vessels smaller than arteries, such as capillaries, arterioles, and venules. It can have a number of causes that can be important considerations in developing a treatment plan. Some patients simply require supportive care while the inflammation resolves on its own, while others may require invasive medical procedures to prevent systemic organ failure. Treatment may involve input from a variety of medical professionals.
Symptoms of this condition may depend on the cause, but may include a rash, fever, and pain. Patients with small vessel vasculitis may report that symptoms seem to migrate throughout the body and may report having flu-like symptoms for several days as well. Sometimes dark spots may appear along with rashes, and patients may develop severe bone and joint pain. Problems with specific organs such as the intestines or liver can develop if their blood supply is cut off by the disease.
Diagnosing can be tricky, because a number of conditions can cause similar symptoms, and a process of elimination may be involved to properly identify the problem. Your doctor may order a biopsy if blood vessel involvement is suspected and may order blood tests to check for high levels of white blood cells and other signs of inflammation. Imaging studies are sometimes useful for checking the patient’s circulation and looking for indicators of thickening and irritation in the blood vessel walls.
Immediate treatment of small vessel vasculitis usually involves medications to suppress inflammation. These drugs mediate the immune response to allow the vessels to recover. Medical support may also be needed to address specific issues, such as kidney damage or heart problems. Patients with permanent damage may require lifelong medical care for lesions caused by small vessel vasculitis, especially if it is not caught and treated quickly.
Some examples of conditions that can cause small vessel vasculitis include Churg-Strauss syndrome, Wegener’s granulomatosis, and Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Some disorders may require additional treatment to prevent recurrence and to address the underlying cause of the inflammation. People with a history of small vessel vasculitis that may have damaged internal organs may want to make sure it is noted prominently in their medical records because this information may be important in the future. A history of kidney failure, for example, can be a cause for concern when a patient’s kidneys seem to be functioning abnormally.
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