An update of neurological manifestations of vasculitides and connective tissue diseases: a literature review

Vasculitides comprise a heterogeneous group of autoimmune disorders, occurring as primary or secondary to a broad variety of systemic infectious, malignant or connective tissue diseases. The latter occur more often but their pathogenic mechanisms have not been fully established. Frequent and varied central and peripheral nervous system complications occur in vasculitides and connective tissue diseases. In many cases, the neurological disorders have an atypical clinical course or even an early onset, and the healthcare professionals should be aware of them. The purpose of this brief review was to give an update of the main neurological disorders of common vasculitis and connective tissue diseases, aiming at accurate diagnosis and management, with an emphasis on pathophysiologic mechanisms.

血管炎为一类异质性自身免疫性疾病，既可为原发性疾病，也可继发于多种全身性感染性、恶性肿瘤性或结缔组织疾病。其中继发性血管炎更为常见，但其发病机制尚未完全阐明。血管炎与结缔组织疾病患者常出现多样的中枢神经系统（central nervous system）及周围神经系统（peripheral nervous system）并发症。多数情况下，此类神经系统疾病的临床进程不典型，甚至可早期起病，临床医护人员需对此保持警觉。本篇简要综述旨在梳理常见血管炎及结缔组织疾病相关主要神经系统并发症的最新研究进展，以期实现精准诊断与规范化诊疗，并重点阐述其病理生理机制。