Vasculitis (presenting with Arthralgias)

Many kinds:   Large-,  Medium-,  and Small-Vessel

• All potentially serious
• All very-to-extremely rare  (H-S Purpura common in pediatrics)

In pt. with non-specific arthralgias, suspect a Vasculitis [in italics] if:

• Mononeuritis Multiplex: asymmetric polyneuropathy  [Polyarteritis Nodosa]
• Purpura, Petichiae  [Henoch-Schonlein, Polyarteritis Nodosa, Hypersensitivity Vasculitis, Cryoglobulinemia]
• Epistaxis, Nasal Ulcers [Polychondritis, Granulomatosis]
• Hematuria w/ casts / proteinuria [Microscopic Polyarteritis]
• “Subclavian Steal”:  Dizzy / faint / other CNS Sx which occur with arm exercise [Takayasu’s]