Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
06:35

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis

Published on: February 8, 2019

The pathology of large-vessel vasculitides

Dylan V Miller1, Joseph J Maleszewski

  • 1Intermountain Medical Center & University of Utah, Murray, USA. dylan.miller@imail.org

Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|May 19, 2011
PubMed

Insights

This review details the pathology of large-vessel vasculitis affecting the aorta and its branches. It covers conditions like giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, and inflammatory aneurysms, focusing on their morphological features.

Area of Science:

  • Pathology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Large-vessel vasculitis affects the aorta and its main branches.
  • It encompasses diseases such as giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis.
  • Rarely, it can be a complication of other autoimmune and infectious diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the morphologic pathology of large-vessel vasculitis.
  • To focus on specific conditions including giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, and idiopathic aortitis.
  • To discuss lymphoplasmacytic aortitis and inflammatory aneurysms, including their association with IgG4-related conditions.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, synthesizing existing literature.
  • Focuses on morphologic and pathological aspects.
  • Integrates recent findings on IgG4-related aortitis and inflammatory aneurysms.

Main Results:

  • Large-vessel vasculitis presents diverse pathologies.
  • Giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis are primary forms.
  • IgG4-related aortitis and inflammatory aneurysms represent a distinct, emerging category.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the morphology of large-vessel vasculitis is crucial for diagnosis and management.
  • The spectrum of these diseases is broad, including autoimmune, infectious, and IgG4-related conditions.
  • Further research into IgG4-related aortitis and inflammatory aneurysms is warranted.

More Related Videos

Quantitative Analysis and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Murine Aortic Sinus06:43

Quantitative Analysis and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Murine Aortic Sinus

Published on: December 7, 2013

Longitudinal In Vivo Imaging of the Cerebrovasculature: Relevance to CNS Diseases07:47

Longitudinal In Vivo Imaging of the Cerebrovasculature: Relevance to CNS Diseases

Published on: December 6, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology01:24

Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) that activate TSH receptors, leading to excessive synthesis and release of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and resulting in hyperthyroidism.Among all causes of hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease is the most common and can happen at any age, though it is more frequent in women. It produces a hypermetabolic state with features such as weight loss, tachycardia, tremor, and heat...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology01:21

Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology

Cytotoxic edema is a form of cerebral edema characterized by intracellular swelling of neurons, astrocytes, and other glial cells. It develops when the mechanisms responsible for maintaining ionic gradients across the cell membrane become impaired. Under normal physiological conditions, the sodium–potassium ATPase actively transports sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, preserving osmotic balance and enabling electrical signaling. This pump requires a continuous supply...
Chronic Inflammation: Introduction01:12

Chronic Inflammation: Introduction

Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, dysregulated immune response that persists for weeks to years when the inciting stimulus is difficult to eradicate or when self‑antigens drive ongoing reactivity. Morphologically, it is defined by mononuclear cell infiltration, progressive tissue destruction, and concurrent attempts at healing via angiogenesis and fibrosis. Compared with acute inflammation, edema is less prominent while cellular infiltration predominates; triggers include persistent...
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...