Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis is a disease of the small arteries and affects the skin, joints, peripheral nerves, kidneys and other organs. Even small amounts of cryoglobulins can lead to severe impairment for the patient but the detection of such low amounts of cryoglobulins can be difficult. The causes of cryoglobulinemic vasculitis include monoclonal hematological diseases, autoimmune diseases and chronic infections. Therapy involves treatment of the underlying disease and glucocorticoids, rituximab and plasmapheresis depending on the severity of the vasculitis. Recognition of typical clinical symptoms is essential in order to initiate appropriate laboratory diagnostic procedures. Sometimes many investigations are necessary. In the absence of clinical trials treatment recommendations can often only be derived from registry data.
Keywords: Cryoglobulins; Glucocorticoids; Monoclonal; Polyclonal; Rituximab.