Hypersensitivity vasculitis

	WikiDoc Resources for Hypersensitivity vasculitis
Articles
Most recent articles on Hypersensitivity vasculitis Most cited articles on Hypersensitivity vasculitis Review articles on Hypersensitivity vasculitis Articles on Hypersensitivity vasculitis in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Hypersensitivity vasculitis Images of Hypersensitivity vasculitis Photos of Hypersensitivity vasculitis Podcasts & MP3s on Hypersensitivity vasculitis Videos on Hypersensitivity vasculitis
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Hypersensitivity vasculitis Bandolier on Hypersensitivity vasculitis TRIP on Hypersensitivity vasculitis
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Hypersensitivity vasculitis at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Hypersensitivity vasculitis Clinical Trials on Hypersensitivity vasculitis at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Hypersensitivity vasculitis NICE Guidance on Hypersensitivity vasculitis NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Hypersensitivity vasculitis CDC on Hypersensitivity vasculitis
Books
Books on Hypersensitivity vasculitis
News
Hypersensitivity vasculitis in the news Be alerted to news on Hypersensitivity vasculitis News trends on Hypersensitivity vasculitis
Commentary
Blogs on Hypersensitivity vasculitis
Definitions
Definitions of Hypersensitivity vasculitis
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Hypersensitivity vasculitis Discussion groups on Hypersensitivity vasculitis Patient Handouts on Hypersensitivity vasculitis Directions to Hospitals Treating Hypersensitivity vasculitis Risk calculators and risk factors for Hypersensitivity vasculitis
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Hypersensitivity vasculitis Causes & Risk Factors for Hypersensitivity vasculitis Diagnostic studies for Hypersensitivity vasculitis Treatment of Hypersensitivity vasculitis
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Hypersensitivity vasculitis
International
Hypersensitivity vasculitis en Espanol Hypersensitivity vasculitis en Francais
Business
Hypersensitivity vasculitis in the Marketplace Patents on Hypersensitivity vasculitis
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Hypersensitivity vasculitis

	Hypersensitivity vasculitis;
ICD-10	M31.0
ICD-9	446.2
DiseasesDB	7423
eMedicine	med/2930
MeSH	C14.907.940.910

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Synonyms and keywords: Hypersensitivity angiitis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Overview

Hypersensitivity vasculitis is inflammation of the vessel wall which is usually due to a hypersensitivity reaction to a known drug, auto-antigens or infectious agents such as bacteria. Immune complexes lodge in the vessel wall, attracting polymorphonuclear leukocytes who in turn release tissue-degrading substances leading to an inflammatory process.

Diagnosis

Physical Examination

Skin

Palpable, normally painful, petechiae or purpura (skin vasculitis).
The lesions normally arise in crops, with common localizations being the forearms and legs.
Necrosis of skin tissue can yield lesions with black or brown centres.

Investigations

The primary goal is to identifiy the causing agent, be it a drug or a microbe. Questioning is important, as is a thorough physical examination, chest X-ray, ESR and biochemical organ tests. Skin biopsy of the lesions reveal inflammation of the small vessels, termed leukocytoclastic vasculitis, which is most prominent in postcapillary venules. Tests for hepatitis virus, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor and cryoglobulins might be indicated.

Diagnostic Criteria

At least 3 out of 5 criteria yields a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 84%:

Age >16.
Use of possible triggering drug in relation to symptoms.
Palpable painful purpura (the three P's).
Maculopapular rash.
Skin biopsy showing neutrophil infiltration around vessel.

Treatment

The most important part of the treatment is to eliminate the cause of the vasculitis, if at all possible. Antihistamines prove helpful to some patients. If the vasculitis is damaging organ systems such as the kidneys, immunosuppressive agents are indicated.

References

Template:Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue

Template:WikiDoc Sources