Page 387 - Medicine and Surgery
P. 387

P1: KTX
         BLUK007-08  BLUK007-Kendall  May 12, 2005  19:48  Char Count= 0








                                                                                    Chapter 8: Vasculitis 383


                  Aetiology/pathophysiology                     arthritis, gastrointestinal upset, renal, lung and neuro-
                  It is thought to be the result of an environmentally trig-  logical involvement. Patients demonstrate pathergy (a
                  gered autoimmune reaction in a genetically susceptible  papule or pustule forms at sites of skin puncture) – this
                  individual.                                   is a highly specific finding.

                  Clinical features                             Management
                  Patients have recurrent oral aphthous or herpetiform ul-  Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents are used
                  cers.Othermanifestationsincludegenitalulceration,oc-  for severe disease. Colchicine may be of benefit for ery-
                  ular disease (uveitis), skin lesions (erythema nodosum),  thema nodosum and arthralgia.
   382   383   384   385   386   387   388   389   390   391   392