Systemic "allergic" vasculitis. Clinical and pathological relationships

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Abstract
A review of 72 cases of vasculitis indicated that hypersensitivity was a probable cause in the majority, but in five cases there were associated lymphoproliferative diseases. Corticosteroids controlled nearly all of the manifestations of vasculitis if administered in adequate dosage before irreparable vascular or renal damage occurred. Prolonged suppressive therapy with corticosteroids was necessary in some, but complete recovery was noted in one fourth and partial recovery in one third of the patients. Most deaths were due to renal failure within three months of onset. It is suggested that the terms periarteritis or polyarteritis nodosa be reserved for those cases with nodular arteritis and that the term systemic "allergic" vasculitis be used for those cases with only small vessel involvement; in these the prognosis is much better.