Medium vessel vasculitis
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) and Kawasaki's disease are primary systemic vasculitides with predominant medium-sized vessel involvement. PAN typically affects muscular arteries, causing aneurysms (nodosa). There are no specific serological markers, and diagnosis depends on clinical presentation, angiography and tissue biopsy. Exclusion of hepatitis B infection is important. Treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs is usually effective, but PAN can pursue a relapsing course. Kawasaki's disease affects children, usually under the age of 5 years, and presents as an acute, febrile exanthematous disease.
Source: Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Peter Hewins, Catherine King Tags: Systemic vasculitides Source Type: research
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