In this book, detailed information on the nosology, pathology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of large- and medium-sized vessel and single-organ vasculitis is provided and critically discussed by the most expert physicians and researchers in the field. Among the conditions considered are giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, polyarteritis nodosa, primary central nervous system vasculitis, isolated aortitis, isolated gastrointestinal vasculitis, cutaneous vasculitis and isolated genitourinary vasculitis.

The role of histopathology in the diagnosis and prognosis of these vasculitis is evaluated, along with the part played by imaging studies in diagnosing and monitoring these diseases, while indications and limitations of the available imaging modalities are discussed as well. The expanding role of biological agents for the treatment of the large vessel vasculitis is addressed, as well as the current approaches to these diseases. This book will be a valuable companion in decision-making for medical practitioners, internists, specialists, researchers and postgraduate students interested in the intriguing fields of vasculitis and rare diseases.

Carlo Salvarani, Professor, Internal Medicine and Rheumatology specialist, currently Director of Rheumatology , Azienda-USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia and AOU di Modena, and full professor of rheumatology at University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. Number of publications: 610. Invited speaker in the vasculitis sessions at EULAR and ACR annual meetings. His interests are focused on large vessel vasculitides, Behçets disease,  primary central nervous system vasculitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and spondyloarthritis .

Luigi Boiardi MD, PhD, Allergology and clinical immunology specialist,  immunologist  at Rheumatology Division, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Italy. Number of publications: 188. His interests are focused on large vessel vasculitides, Behçets disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, and spondyloarthritis.

Muratore Francesco MD, Internal medicine specialist, rheumatologist at the Rheumatology Division, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, and researcher of rheumatology at University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. Number of publications: 116.  His interests are focused on large vessel vasculitides, primary central nervous system vasculitis and polymyalgia rheumatica.

Part 1. Giant cell arteritis.- Chapter 1. Classification criteria.- Chapter 2.  Epidemiology and genetics.- Chapter 3.  Pathogenesis.- Chapter 4. Clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis and laboratory markers.- Chapter 5. Histopathology and imaging.- Chapter 6. Prognosis and disease activity.- Chapter 7. Treatment.- Part 2. Takayasu arteritis.- Chapter 8. Classification criteria, Epidemiology and genetics; and Pathogenesis.- Chapter 9. Clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis and laboratory markers.- Chapter 10. Imaging.- Chapter 11. Prognosis and disease activity.- Chapter 12. Treatment.- Part 3. Polyarteritis nodosa.- Chapter 13. Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa.- Chapter 14. Systemic polyarteritis nodosa.-  Part 4. Single organ vasculitis.- Chapter 15. Primary central nervous system vasculitis.- Chapter 16. Isolated aortitis.- Chapter 17. Isolated gastrointestinal vasculitis.- Chapter 18. Cutaneous vasculitis.- Chapter 19. Isolated genitourinary vasculitis.- Part 5. Arterial and venous involvement in Behcet's disease.- Chapter 20. Arterial and venous involvement in Behcets disease.