Vasculitis physical examination

Vasculitis
Overview
Classification Large-sized vessel vasculitis Takayasu's Arteritis Temporal Arteritis Medium-sized vessel vasculitis Kawasaki's Disease Polyarteritis Nodosa Small-sized vessel vasculitis Churg-Strauss Syndrome Cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis Essential cryoglobulinemic vasculitis Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Microscopic polyangiitis Wegener's Granulomatosis Variable-sized vessel vasculitis Sjogren syndrome Cogan syndrome Single organ vasculitis Primary central nervous system angiitis
Causes
Differential Diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: M.Umer Tariq [2]

Physical Examination

Vitals

Temperature

• Elevated body temperature may be present (fever)

Pulse

Rate

• Tachycardia may be present

Strength

• Decreased pulsation of one or both brachial arteries

Blood Pressure

• At least 10 mmHg systolic difference in both arms - in Takayasu arteritis

Skin

• Palpable purpura - if patients have this in isolation, it is most likely due to cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis. If the purpura is in combination with systemic organ involvement, it is most likely to be Henoch-Schonlein purpura or microscopic polyarteritis.

Heart

Auscultation

• Bruit over one or both carotid arteries or abdominal aorta

Extremities

(Images courtesy of Charlie Goldberg, M.D., UCSD School of Medicine and VA Medical Center, San Diego, CA)

Skin:Leucocytolastic vasculitis; legs

Leucocytoclastic vasculitis; pustular type

Vasculitis: In this instance, the vasculitic skin lesions were secondary to Haemophilus endocarditis.

Vasculitis: In this instance, the vasculitic skin lesions were secondary to Haemophilus endocarditis.

Vasculitis: In this instance, idiopathic with palpable purpura.

Vasculitis: Palpable Purpura: Secondary to idiopathic leukocytoplastic vasculitis.

Vasculitis: In this instance, idiopathic.

Vasculitis: In this instance, idiopathic with palpable purpura.