Connective Tissue Diseases

This text describes a group of conditions characterized by the occurance of vasculitis, multisystems involvement, arthritis or arthralgia and abnormal immunological features which are difficult to diagnosis and manage. This volume should provide the reader with a resource to the effective diagnosis and management of C.T.D. Each chapter includes details of: histological background; epidemiology; pathophysiology; clinical manifestations; investigative procedures; and treatment strategies. There is also an introductory chapter reviewing the state of the art regarding inflammatory mediators and the process of inflammation and there is a chapter on the specific problems associated with connective tissue diseases in children. The final chapter addresses therapeutics for the these disorders and brings the laboratory reality of molecular genetics and molecular chemistry nearer to the clinical forum.