Vasculitic Neuropathies

Because neurologists play an integral role in the diagnosis and management of patients who have vasculitis involving the peripheral nerves, they need to understand the classification and treatment options and indications for these diseases. Provision of care for patients who have vasculitic neuropathy also includes patient counseling, monitoring for potential complications of treatments, and response to treatments. Corticosteroids remain the mainstay of therapy for SVN unassociated with virus, often with adjuvant immunosuppressive therapy. In many instances (eg, systemic vasculitis), neurologists should team up with a rheumatologist or internist to provide care. For the microvasculitides of nerve, such as NSVN, DLRPN, and LRPN, treatment decisions and management often are performed solely by a neurologist.