Is small-vessel vasculitis present?
“; (2) “Which specific type of small-vessel vasculitis is present?” and (3) “Is the diagnosis of the specific type of small-vessel vasculitis important?” IS SMALL-VESSEL VASCULITIS PRESENT? Table 15-8 summarizes the potential clinical manifestations of ANCAassociated small-vessel vasculitis that is generally shared by most types of small-vessel vasculitis. Small-vessel vasculitis should be suspected in any patient who presents with a multisystem disease that is not caused by an infectious or malignant process (e.g., renal dysfunction, skin rashes, pulmonary manifestations, or neurologic manifestation).5-8 Constitutional symptoms are common. The frequency and combination of various system involvements vary among individual disease entities. The most common cutaneous lesion is palpable purpura–a slightly raised, non-blanching eruption that usually begins in the lower extremities.3,5 Occasionally, the rash is vesicular or slightly ulcerated. Urticaria can also be a manifestation of smal
