Book excerpt: Vasculitis is a condition that involves inflammation in the blood vessels. The condition occurs if the immune system attacks the blood vessels by mistake. This may happen as the result of an infection, a medicine, or another disease or condition (NIH). Textbook of Systemic Vasculitis is an in-depth guide to the epidemiology, classification and genetics of systemic vasculitis as well as imaging, symptoms and management of the disease. The book is divided into six sections, beginning with an introduction to the condition and its basic science, followed by sections on imaging, manifestations of vasculitis, principles of management, and a final section on a range of individual vasculitis syndromes. The fourth section covers vasculitis in various organs and systems of the human body. The text emphasises the details of pathological changes in the areas most commonly affected by the disease. 135 full colour images and illustrations enhance this comprehensive text. Textbook of Systemic Vasculitis is an up-to-date and forward looking guide to the condition, featuring potential future developments, as well as reviewing advances in treatment over the past half-century. Key Points Analyses symptoms of vasculitis, organ by organ Covers 16 different vasculitis syndromes in detail 135 full colour images and illustrations Discusses the future development of vasculitis treatment