VASCULITIS
VASCULITIS
Vessels are involved in most inflammatory processes in the human body. Vasculitis denotes conditions where vessels are the target of inflammation. The vasculitides can best be classified according to the size of vessels involved (Fig. 14-50).
Arteriole Venule Capillary
Small artery
Large to medium-sized
artery
Vein
HV
HSP
Microscopic polyangiitis
GPA
Aorta Vena cava
Polyarteritis nodosa
GCA
FIGURE 14-50 • Classification scheme for the vasculitides HV, hypersensitivity vasculitis; HSP, Henoch– Schönlein purpura; GPA, granulomatosis with polyangitis; GCA, giant cell arteritis. (Modified with permission from Jennette JC, et al. Nomenclature of systemic vasculitides. Proposal of an international consensus conference. Arthritis Rheum. 1994;37:187. ©1994 American College of Rheumatology.)