Vasculitis is characterized by an inflammatory process in the walls of the blood vessels. This can result in damage to the blood vessels and obstruction of blood flow. Consequently, surrounding tissues, including the skin, nerves, and other organs, may suffer from reduced or no blood supply.
Vasculitis can be limited to the skin (cutaneous vasculitis), affect other internal organs, or involve multiple organs simultaneously (multiorgan disease). The latter is seen in rheumatic diseases that affect multiple organ systems. Vasculitis can be classified based on the size of the affected blood vessels, the organs involved, or the disease mechanism. Examples of vasculitis diseases include temporal arteritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis),and Henoch-Schönlein purpura.
Some forms of vasculitis occur in children, but most are found in adults. Certain types of vasculitis can cause permanent damage, and some can be fatal without treatment. Prognosis depends on the specific type of vasculitis, disease activity, and the organs affected. The tolerance and proper administration of treatment are also important factors.
Cutaneous vasculitis can cause a variety of skin changes with varying appearance and severity. These changes can include highly pigmented reddish-purple spots (bruise-like), blisters, sores, and crusts. They can be localized or cover large areas of the skin's surface.
If vasculitis is part of a larger disease picture, such as in rheumatic diseases, patients may experience fever, night sweats, fatigue, and joint pain. Vasculitis affecting mucous membranes can cause sinusitis and nosebleeds. Involvement of internal organs, particularly the kidneys, poses the greatest risk and can lead to permanent damage and organ failure.
When vasculitis is suspected, a comprehensive evaluation is often conducted, including blood and urine tests, radiological examinations, and biopsies (tissue samples). Biopsies can reveal inflammation in the blood vessel walls and surrounding tissue.
Vasculitis can be caused by autoimmune diseases, infections, medications, and allergic processes. However, in many cases, no definite cause is found (idiopathic).
Many vasculitis conditions, especially those limited to the skin, may resolve on their own. However, this can take weeks to months. In cases where vasculitis affects multiple organs, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for prognosis. Such patients are evaluated, treated, and monitored in hospital departments, often across different specialties (rheumatology, dermatology, nephrology, etc.).
Treatment aims to target the underlying cause and reduce the inflammation in the blood vessel walls. Immunosuppressive medications play a central role in vasculitis treatment, often in combination.
Cutaneous vasculitis can resemble various other skin conditions, including skin infections, drug reactions, and various inflammatory skin disorders (such as erythema multiforme).
