Clinical features
Typically, chronic inflammation is characterised by absence or modification of the cardinal signs of acute inflammation:
- heat and redness of the area are relatively reduced
- pain is duller
- function may be partially or fully restored
- swelling is often present; its underlying basis is different to the changes in vascular permeability which occur in acute inflammation - it is more likely to be due to cellular infiltrate and tissue deposition
- fever may be low-grade or cyclical
Investigations are dependent on the underlying aetiology, but common findings include:
- low-grade acute phase response
- FBC: leukocytosis to a lesser extent than acute inflammation, mononuclear cells predominate
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