Vasculitis/Arteritis/Phlebitis

Vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessels. Arteritis is inflammation of the arteries. Phlebitis is inflammation of the veins.

The type of vasculitis that you may have is determined by

• A component of your blood (neutrofils)
• By the degree of granular tumor growth that is present (granulomatosis), and
• The distribution of disease. It can occur in the arteries, veins or a combination

Vasculitis has 3 main groups (there are other types)

• Immune-complex
• Anti-basement membrane antibodies (These are antibodies that work against a delicate, thin membrane which is the base for the cells that line your arteries.).
• Anti-neutrophil cystoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs)

Vasculitis of the large vessels includes

• Takayasu’s Pulseless Disease is a granulomatous arteritis. It usually involves the aorta of your heart and the subclavian Arteries although smaller arteries may also be involved. It is most common in Asian and African women younger than 40 years of age. As it progresses, it can severely affect your arteries due to fibrosis.
• Kawasaki’s Disease. is a mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome that affects medium-sized and large arteries. Mucotaneous lymph node syndrome resembles scarlet fever and occurs in children (usually under the age of 10). It gives them a very high fever and lasts a week to three weeks accompanied by a rash, edema (swelling), an inflamed tongue and inside of the mouth, and enlarged lymph nodes. One of the important outcomes may be the formation of coronary artery disease in later years. This disease is more common in Japan than the United States
• Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis is disease of the middle sized arteries. It is found most often in the temporal Arteries but is not restricted to those arteries. In fact, if it affects the ophthalmic Artery, it can cause blindness. It is not a rare condition. The arteries may become thickened in a manner that they resemble a “string of beads.” (Think pearl necklace.) General muscle pain and muscle wasting may accompany this disease. The doctor will recommend a biopsy of the temporal artery to confirm the diagnosis — although the biopsy is done less frequently and treatment can be started without it according to sources