Concise Clinical Review of the Pulmonary Vasculitides.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012 Jun 7;
Authors: Frankel SK, Schwarz MI
Abstract
The pulmonary vasculitides are a rare group of heterogenous disorders unified by the histopathologic finding of inflammation and destruction of the blood vessel wall. Diagnosis of these disorders is exceptionally challenging, given their highly variable clinical presentation, their relative rarity and the overlap of the signs and symptoms of vasculitis with much more common entities. However, recent advances in the management of vasculitis allow for accurate diagnosis, risk stratification in the individual patient and the implementation of evidence-based, effective pharmacologic therapies. This concise clinical review will address the diagnosis and management of the patient with pulmonary vasculitis and provide an up-to-date review of the state of the field.
PMID: 22679011 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]