Vasculitis or vasculitic neuropathy (Q85105)

Vasculitic neuropathy has an acute or subacute onset, occurs more frequently with age and is characterised by an often painful multifocal neuropathy (mononeuritis multiplex). There is a preference for peroneal, posterior tibial, ulnar, median and radial nerves. Also are vasculitic plexopathies more frequent in the lumbosacral than in the brachial plexus. Vasculitic neuropathy appears often in conjunction with systemic features as weight loss and malaise. The vasculitis is characterised by epineurial inflammation, often vessel wall necrosis and inflammation, followed by axonal loss, and patchy fascicular lesions. Treatment with corticosteroids, sometimes in combination with other immunosuppressants, is required to control the inflammatory process and prevent further ischemic nerve damage.