Giant-cell vasculitides.
Although many of the vasculitides within the classification of the American College of Rheumatology can have a component of granulomatous inflammation with giant cells, two (ie, giant-cell [temporal] arteritis and Takayasu arteritis) are characterized by infiltrates that are dominated by granulomatous and/or giant-cell-containing inflammation. Furthermore, granulomatous and/or giant-cell dominant infiltrates can characterize disseminated giant-cell arteritis, granulomatous vasculitis of the central nervous system, localized giant-cell arteritis, mesenteric inflammatory veno-occlusive disease, primary cutaneous phlebitis, and giant-cell phlebitis of mesenteric veins and/or omentum. Like the other systemic vasculitides, there is considerable clinicopathologic overlap between these giant-cell vasculitides. Indeed, they are likely closely related, but how they specifically relate to each other is not clear. Their accurate diagnosis is important; because serious morbidity and even death may occur, if proper treatment is delayed or if excessive immunotherapy is given.
Weidner
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Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego 92103-8720, USA.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000473:pathology*; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006099:Granuloma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009852:Omentum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000473:pathology*
D005938:Glucocorticoids