Vasculitis. A practical approach to management.
Vasculitis encompasses a wide variety of diseases. Because diagnosis may be difficult, a careful evaluation is essential, including a detailed patient history, thorough physical examination, and appropriate laboratory studies. Diagnosis is based on clinicopathologic features that permit identification of the condition. Biopsies are often necessary to confirm a diagnosis. It is important to accurately categorize the vasculitic disorders, since prompt, aggressive therapy with potentially toxic drugs is necessary to avoid irreversible organ system dysfunction.
Department of Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1058.
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D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010488:Polyarteritis Nodosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D018366:Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy