Necrotizing vasculitis

Alternative names:

vasculitis - necrotizing

Definition:

An inflammatory condition of blood vessels characterized by tissue death, scarring, and proliferation of the walls of the blood vessels, which may result in blockage of the vessel.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Necrotizing vasculitis is uncommon, occurring in 6 out of 10,000 people. It may occur in rheumatoid arthritis and is commonly seen with systemic lupus erythematosus, periarteritis nodosa, and progressive systemic sclerosis. It is very rare in children.

The disorder involves inflammation of the lining of the blood vessels. The cause of the inflammation is unknown, but is likely related to autoimmune factors. The tissues become necrotic (dead). The wall of the vessel may scar and thicken. The vessel may close off (occlude), causing lack of blood flow to the tissues supplied by that blood vessel with subsequent infarction (tissue death) of the tissues.

Necrotizing vasculitis may affect any blood vessel of the body, and therefore any part of the body, including the muscles, nerves, kidneys, liver, or any other area.