Rheum| Large Vessel Vasculitis

4.03 Large Vessel Vasculitis Rheumatology review for the USMLE Step 1 Exam Vasculitis is inflammation of blood vessels Vasculitis is split into three groups based on the size of blood vessels affected: large, medium, and small vessel vasculitis Large vessel vasculitis involves inflammation of the aorta and its main branches Two distinct large vessel vasculitidies: temporal (or giant cell) arteritis and takayasu arteritis Temporal (giant cell) arteritis primarily affects older women (>60) and the branches of the common carotid arteries Symptoms of temporal arteritis: jaw pain (jaw claudication), headaches, tenderness along temporal artery Complication of temporal arteritis: blindness Takayasu arteritis mostly affects young Asian women ( Symptoms of takayasu arteritis: weak upper extremity pulse, constitutional symptoms, myalgias, skin nodules, ocular disturbances Both temporal arteritis and takayasu arteritis are treated with a course of steroids