Rheumatology
Vasculitides
Rheumatology

Vasculitides

Large, medium, small vessel — by size, presentation, and ANCA status.

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Large vessel vasculitis

DiseaseDemographicsFeaturesDiagnosisTreatment
Giant cell (temporal) arteritisWomen >50; polymyalgia rheumatica associationNew headache + jaw claudication + scalp tenderness + visual loss (AION)ESR >50, CRP↑; temporal artery biopsy (segmental — get long sample)HIGH-DOSE prednisone IMMEDIATELY before biopsy (prevent blindness); add tocilizumab
Takayasu arteritisYoung Asian women <40'Pulseless disease': diminished arm pulses + arm claudication + BP difference; aortic arch + branchesMRA/CTAGlucocorticoids

Medium vessel

DiseaseFeaturesAssociationsTreatment
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN)Constitutional + skin (livedo, ulcers, nodules) + peripheral neuropathy (mononeuritis multiplex) + GI + renal (HTN) + cardiac. SPARES lungsHepatitis B (30%); ANCA NEGATIVE; rosary bead aneurysms on angiogramSteroids ± cyclophosphamide; treat HBV
KawasakiChild + fever ≥5 days + 4 of 5 (conjunctivitis, mucositis/strawberry tongue, rash, extremity changes, cervical LAD)Coronary aneurysms if untreatedIVIG + high-dose aspirin within 10 days; echo monitoring
Buerger (thromboangiitis obliterans)Heavy male smoker <45; distal extremity ischemia, ulcers, gangrene; superficial thrombophlebitisSMOKING — strongly tiedSTRICT smoking cessation (only treatment)

Small vessel — ANCA-associated

DiseaseANCAFeaturesTreatment
GPA (Granulomatosis with polyangiitis / Wegener)c-ANCA (anti-PR3)Upper airway (sinusitis, saddle nose) + lower airway (cavitary nodules) + glomerulonephritisSteroids + rituximab (or cyclophosphamide)
MPA (Microscopic polyangiitis)p-ANCA (anti-MPO)Pulmonary-renal syndrome WITHOUT upper airway; no granulomasSteroids + rituximab/cyclophosphamide
EGPA (Eosinophilic granulomatosis / Churg-Strauss)p-ANCA (anti-MPO) in 50%Asthma + eosinophilia + sinusitis + neuropathy + skinSteroids ± rituximab/mepolizumab

Small vessel — immune complex

DiseaseFeaturesTreatment
IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura)Child after URI; palpable purpura on buttocks/legs + arthralgias + abdominal pain (intussusception) + IgA nephritisSupportive; steroids for severe abdominal pain or renal involvement
Cryoglobulinemic vasculitisHepatitis C; palpable purpura + arthralgia + neuropathy + glomerulonephritisTreat HCV (DAAs); rituximab if severe
Behçet diseaseRecurrent oral + genital ulcers + uveitis + erythema nodosum + pathergy (papule at needle stick site)Steroids; immunosuppression

High-yield pearls

  • ANCA mnemonic: c-ANCA → Wegener (GPA); p-ANCA → MPA, EGPA, also UC/PSC
  • PAN spares lungs; GPA loves them
  • Buerger: smoking is the disease — quit or lose the limb
  • HSP triad: palpable purpura on buttocks + abdominal pain + arthritis
  • GCA: don't wait for biopsy — give steroids first to save the eye
  • Polymyalgia rheumatica: bilateral shoulder/hip aching + ↑ESR; low-dose prednisone is dramatic relief
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