29th January 2024

Diagnosis

Blood tests such as raised ESR, anaemia, leukocytosis and a negative ANCA screen are important for the diagnosis of this condition. Hepatitis serology needs to be carried out in all patients, given the association with active hepatitis B infections. Urine analysis can show proteinuria and haematuria. 

If there is skin, muscle or nerve involvement, a biopsy of the tissue will greatly aid in diagnosis. Muscle biopsy can demonstrate transmural inflammation of the arterial wall with leukocytic infiltration and fibrinoid necrosis. Angiography commonly demonstrates numerous small aneurysms and stenosis of small and medium-sized vessels of the involved organs, most commonly seen in the renal arteries.