Blood Vessels

Artery of a patient with temporal arteritis showing a thickened, nodular, & prominent segment of a vessel on the surface of head (arrow).
Temporal arteritis

Giant cell (temporal) arteritis

Temporal arteritis is one manifestation of giant cell arteritis, which can affect mainly branches of external carotid artery. There is thickening of the wall by granulomatous inflammation (with several multinucleated giant cells) of the media. The lumen is markedly narrowed.

PAN coronaries prominent aneurysmal dilatations

PAN of the coronary artery branches

PAN of the a renal arterial branch

There are inflammatory cell infiltration scattered in and around the vessel. The wall shows fibrinoid necrosis with aneurysmal dilatation (arrow). The ANCA serology is usually positive.


Leucocytoclastic vasculitis (allergic vasculitis): typical erythematous maculopapular lesins are present on the medial aspect of the ankle.
Leucocytoclastic vasculitis
This venule shows inflammation, fibrinoid necrosis and there is marked leucocytoclasis



The lips are erythematous and swollen; angular cheilitis is evident.
Kawasaki disease (Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome)

Henoch-Schonlein purpura

Lt. Palpable purpura in the classical distribution on the buttocks and thighs. Rt. small venule showing fibrinoid necrosis with related inflammation
Lt. Palpable purpura in the classical distribution on the buttocks and thighs.