Clinicopathological characteristics and key therapeutic options for liver involvement with vasculitis

Abstract

Vasculitis, involving any levels of vessels throughout the body, has variable nonspecific clinical presentation and complicated classification, hence, the diagnose is difficult. The liver is not the major organ involved, so it is prone to overlook vasculitis-associated liver injuries. The main manifestations of vasculitis involving the liver include abnormal liver biochemistry test (mainly increase of cholestatic liver enzymes), portal hypertension, and hepatic occupying lesions. Treatment principles are primarily directed at systemic immunosuppressive therapy for vasculitis. This review summarized the classification of vasculitis, major presentations of liver involvement in vasculitis, and the principles of treatment, to improve the awareness of the rare vascular diseases.