ABSTRACT
Vasculitides is a general term for a group of diseases characterized by inflammation within or around the wall of blood vessels, with alteration of the vascular blood flow and deranged integrity of the vessels, leading to ischemia and necrosis of the dependent organs. Blood vessels of all sizes may be affected, from the largest vessel in the body (the aorta) to the smallest vessels in the skin (capillaries). The size of the affected blood vessels varies according to the specific type of vasculitis.1-3 The symptoms of vasculitides depend on the blood vessels involved in the inflammatory process. However, vasculitides are a systemic illness, and
patients have fever, weight loss, fatigue, a rapid pulse, and diffuse aches and pains. In some cases, identifying the source and underlying cause of the pain is extremely challenging. In addition to these diffuse, poorly localized systemic symptoms, vasculitides may involve virtually every organ system in the body.
