[Pathology of Vasculitic Neuropathies]

Prompt diagnosis of vasculitis is necessary because neuropathy may be the first symptom of vasculitic syndrome, and it is crucial for the management of patients. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, rheumatoid vasculitis, cryoglobulinemia, Sjogren's syndrome, and non-systemic vasculitic neuropathy are disorders frequently associated with vasculitic neuropathy. Pathological features such as the size of the involved vessels and the type of inflammatory cells, combined with general symptoms and laboratory data, may contribute to the specific diagnosis. ANCA may be involved in the pathogenesis of microscopic polyangiitis, and eosinophilic toxins may injure the nerve fibers in some patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. We detected B-cell follicle-like structures adjacent to the inflamed vessels in rheumatoid vasculitis, which may be associated with the pathogenesis.