Got any rheum in your
this Halloween? 
#Vasculitis: a group of multisystem inflammatory conditions with a variety of features depending on size of the vessels
Check out this article & my thread!
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/wk/bor/2017/00000029/00000005/art00016
@brownam130
#EmoryACPNP2020 #MakeRheum 1/


#Vasculitis: a group of multisystem inflammatory conditions with a variety of features depending on size of the vessels
Check out this article & my thread!
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/wk/bor/2017/00000029/00000005/art00016
@brownam130
#EmoryACPNP2020 #MakeRheum 1/
History often yields non-specific symptoms such as fever, malaise, & fatigue – not helpful, right? Carve your differential (and then your
) with these clues:
-recent illness
-medication exposure - can cause secondary vasculitis
-the onset/timing of symptoms!
2/

-recent illness

-medication exposure - can cause secondary vasculitis

-the onset/timing of symptoms!

Look at your patient –
you may notice:
-painful skin nodules
-purpura
-ulcers
Even spookier
- #PediatricVasculitis patients may have cardiovascular changes – look for hypertension and bruits from altered blood flow through the vessel. 3/

-painful skin nodules
-purpura
-ulcers
Even spookier

Diagnosis is focused on H&P but also can have elevated inflammatory markers – the gold standard being tissue biopsy. 
Do you know “witch”
of the following is the most common vasculitis in kids? 4/

Do you know “witch”

If you picked “b” as in “boo!”
you’re right! Vasculitis is classified by the size of the vessels it affects –
large vessel (like Takayasu)
medium vessel (like Kawasaki)
& lastly small vessel- with #HenochSchonleinPurpura being by far the most common in pediatrics. 5/

large vessel (like Takayasu)
medium vessel (like Kawasaki)
& lastly small vessel- with #HenochSchonleinPurpura being by far the most common in pediatrics. 5/
Henoch Schonlein Purpura ( #HSP) sounds like the name of a vampire
, but it’s actually IgA vasculitis that causes inflammation & bleeding in the small vessels.
It most commonly affects trick-or-treaters ages 3-15 years
. 6/

It most commonly affects trick-or-treaters ages 3-15 years

#HSP is usually self-limited (though it has significant morbidity) and can be recognized by
-palpable purpura in patients with neither thrombocytopenia nor coagulopathy
-arthritis
-renal disease
-abdominal pain that can’t be attributed to #toomuchcandy
. 7/
-palpable purpura in patients with neither thrombocytopenia nor coagulopathy
-arthritis
-renal disease
-abdominal pain that can’t be attributed to #toomuchcandy


Time for #TrickorTreatment - acute, self-limited vasculitis (like HSP) is mostly supportive – hydration, rest, & ibuprofen.
If HSP is still haunting beyond these measures steroids can be used.
Always admit kids with altered mental status, severe pain, or can't drink fluid!
8/
If HSP is still haunting beyond these measures steroids can be used.
Always admit kids with altered mental status, severe pain, or can't drink fluid!

Chronic vasculitis (like Takayasu) should be managed carefully by rheumatology with
-glucocorticoids
-immunosuppressive drugs
-biologic agents.
Unfortunately, well over half relapse
. 9/
-glucocorticoids
-immunosuppressive drugs
-biologic agents.
Unfortunately, well over half relapse

Once in remission- coach families to monitor for reactivation and drug toxicity. Also, be on the lookout for:
-fever
-claudications
-skin lesions
-headache
Thanks for coming to my Tweetorial – and even though 2020 has major “I got a rock” vibes, have a Happy Halloween! 10/10
-fever
-claudications
-skin lesions
-headache
Thanks for coming to my Tweetorial – and even though 2020 has major “I got a rock” vibes, have a Happy Halloween! 10/10