Vasculitis Flashcards
What is vasculitis
Inflammation of blood vessel walls
Can be primary or secondary
Primary causes of vasculitis
Group of overlapping systemic syndromes: The vasculitides
Secondary causes of vasculitis
Drugs, infection, immune reactions, systemic disease
Describe Takayasu’s arteries (TAK)
Idiopathic, chronic, inflammatory, granulomatous arteries
Which arteries does TAK predominantly effect
Aorta and major branches e.g subclavian and CC
Who is affected by TAK
90% effected are female <50 y/o
Clinical signs of TAK
Absent arterial pulses
Hypertension
Differing BP between arms
Varied presentations make diagnosis hard
How does TAK present on duplex ultrasound
Circumferential thickening of the vessel wall
Describe Buergers syndrome
Arteries in arms and legs swell preventing blood flow and promoting clotting
Who is effected by Buergers
Young male smokers
Symptoms of Buergers
Claudication
Rest pain
Gangrene
Treatment for Buergers
40% cases amputated
Lifestyle factors treated
Imaging for Beurgers
Duplex showing occlusive disease in small vessels
Corkscrew arteries
What is giant cell arteritis
Idiopathic, systemic, granulomatous large and medium vessel vasculitis
Who is affected by giant cell arteritis
2-3x more women than men
>50 y/o
Symptoms of giant cell arteritis
Weight loss
Ocular
Jaw or tongue claudication
Temple tenderness
Ultrasound features of giant cell
Dark halo (oedema)
“Halo sign”
Giant cell treatment
Corticosteroids
