A group of conditions involving inflammation of the blood vessels, ranging from mild to serious, where accurate diagnosis guides the right treatment
Vasculitis is the name for a group of conditions in which the blood vessels become inflamed. Because blood vessels run throughout the body, vasculitis can affect almost any area, and the effects depend on which vessels are involved. Some forms are mild and limited, while others are more serious and need prompt treatment, so an accurate diagnosis is important.
Written for patients and reviewed by Dr Liubov Borukhson, Consultant Rheumatologist (GMC 7021928).
Because vasculitis can affect different parts of the body, symptoms vary widely. General features may include:
One well-known form affecting older adults is giant cell arteritis, which involves the arteries around the head and can affect vision, and which needs urgent assessment.
Vasculitis is not a single illness but a family of conditions, usually grouped by the size of the blood vessels mainly affected. The main types include:
Some forms are limited and relatively mild, while others can be serious and need prompt, intensive treatment. Vasculitis can also occur on its own or alongside another condition. Identifying which type is present is central to choosing the right treatment, which is why careful specialist assessment matters.
Diagnosis brings together your symptoms, a thorough examination, blood and urine tests, imaging, and sometimes a biopsy. Identifying which type of vasculitis is present, and which parts of the body are affected, is central to choosing the right treatment, so the assessment is detailed.
Where joints or surrounding tissues are involved, ultrasound can add useful information, and in some forms ultrasound of the arteries is helpful. Dr Borukhson uses point-of-care ultrasound during the consultation. You can read more on the ultrasound clinic page.
Treatment aims to bring the inflammation under control, protect the affected organs and prevent flares. It is highly individual, depending on the type and severity, and is reviewed regularly over time. Because vasculitis can be a long-term condition, ongoing specialist input is valuable. The plan is always discussed with you.
Vasculitis can affect many different organs, so care often needs the involvement of more than one specialty. Dr Borukhson practises within a world-renowned tertiary centre, with ready access to consultant colleagues across the other specialties that may be involved in caring for this condition. Where appropriate, she can involve those specialists directly, and bring particularly complex cases to a multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) with minimal delay. This means that, when more than one area of expertise is needed, your care can be joined up and decisions reached promptly.
Vasculitis covers a wide spectrum, and the right diagnosis determines the right treatment. If you have unexplained symptoms such as persistent fevers, weight loss, skin changes or organ-related problems alongside inflammation, a specialist review can help establish what is going on.
A specialist assessment can help establish whether vasculitis is involved and agree the right plan to protect your health
Book an appointment