Hemorrhagic vasculitis (Shenlein-Genoch disease) belongs to the acquired diathesis due to a predominant increase in the permeability of the vessel walls.
There are several forms of its manifestation. The name "Shenlein-Genoch" is used abroad. The term "hemorrhagic vasculitis" has been used only in domestic medicine since 1959.
Shenlein-Genoch disease : pathogenesis
It is based on allergic inflammation of small capillaries and blood vessels. As a result, plasma flows and red blood cells enter the surrounding tissue. The histopathological picture of the lesion is almost the same as with nodular periarteritis. But those vessels that are damaged by hemorrhagic vasculitis are even smaller.
Shenlein-Genoch disease : symptoms
It affects mainly young people. The leading symptom is rashes on the lower extremities, which are exudative-hemorrhagic in nature.
Nodules can be of different sizes, but mostly small, symmetrically located. Rashes are often accompanied by joint pain, itching, fever, and general malaise. If the disease is very severe, then they spread and merge into large
hemorrhagic spots. The occurrence of extensive hemorrhages with dying areas. After 10-15 days, the rash usually disappears, but not forever. Often she reappears. Due to periarticular edema, changes in the joints occur. Sometimes Shenlein-Genoch disease is complicated by hemorrhage in the tissues and internal organs. If it occurs along the stomach and intestines, then acute pain occurs in the abdomen.
Cerebral hemorrhage is accompanied by the development of paralysis and paresis. Sometimes the changes characteristic of hemorrhagic vasculitis occur not only in the internal organs, but also affect the vessels of the retina and central nervous system.
Shenlein-Genoa disease
: formsThey are distinguished by four: rheumatoid, fulminant, simple and abdominal purpura. Each of them has its own specific symptoms. Simple purpura, for example, is accompanied by hemorrhagic rashes on the mucous membranes and skin. The general malaise appears, the temperature rises. With rheumatoid purpura, changes occur inside the joints (often knee). They become extremely painful, swell. Relatively often in adolescence and childhood, abdominal purpura occurs. With it, intestinal and stomach bleeding occurs. Severe abdominal pain goes away with bouts. In the vomit there is an admixture of blood, tarry stools. All these phenomena are accompanied by a rise in body temperature. At the same time, characteristic rashes appear. Less commonly, they precede abdominal syndrome or occur after. Lightning purple has the same symptoms, but is so severe that it can be fatal from the very first days.
Shenlein-Genoch disease: recognition
It is important to differentiate it from hemophilia and thrombocytopenic purpura. Recognition is based on the presence of specific and fully recognizable exudative-hemorrhagic rashes, joint pain and malaise in general. Considering the results of the analyzes, the platelet count should be taken into account - they remain normal, and the indicators of blood coagulation and compression of the blood clot should also not be changed.