[Vasculitis syndrome--clinical classification and diagnostic approaches]

Vasculitis syndrome comprises a broad spectrum of diseases associated with vasculitis, which is characterized by inflammation and damage to blood vessels. Clinical features associated with vasculitis usually appear depending upon size of damaged vessels, but rarely correlate with primary disease itself. Vasculitis must be considered in the differential diagnosis for therapeutic approaches, particularly in patients with serious vasculitis occurring irreversible organ damage due to rapidly progressive systemic vasculitis, such as Wegener's granulomatosis, polyarteritis nodosa. These patients require prompt and aggressive treatment and the optimal treatment at the early stage of disease process can induce complete remission. Vasculitis syndrome have been classified by clinical, pathologic and immunological findings and these classifications and criteria are helpful for diagnostic and appropriate therapeutic approaches.