Clinical Features of Cutaneous Polyarteritis Nodosa.
- Author:
Young Jin KIM
;
Chang Woo LEE
;
Moon Hyang PARK
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Polyarteritis nodosa;
Cutaneous form;
Clinical course
- MeSH:
Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic;
Antigens, Surface;
Arteritis;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Leg;
Polyarteritis Nodosa*;
Vasculitis
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
1995;33(2):225-231
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Polyarteritis nodosa(PAN) is a disease of necrotzing vasculitis which has a clinical spectrum encompassing those cases of multisystem involveme it and skin-limited variant. The clinical course of cutaneous PAN has been considered to be a benign one, however there is sorne controversy regarding its nosological entity. OBJECTIVE: To characten the clinical course of the patients with cutaneous PAN and determine whether or not it is a benign disease or something more sever. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory findings in 8 patients with Logy-proven cutaneous PAN but without any detectable visceral involvement were observed periochelly during a follow-up period over 18 months. Meticulous physical and pertinent laboratory earinations were performed each time during their visits. RESULTS: Livedo reticulari, on the lower legs was the mostorenon cutaneous findings with these patients. During the follow-up periods there were no suspected abnormal physical and laboratory findings to have other organ involvement in all 8 patients Serologic examinations for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody and hepatitis-B surface antigen revealed negative in all patients tested. CONCLUSION: The follow-up periods of 2 years or so does not seem to be long enough in characterizing the clinical features of PAN. However, the cutaneous: on of PAN can be regarded as a benign cutaneous variant of the disease having no visceral lesion of arteritis, even though mild degrees of constitutional symptoms and a few laboratory abnormlites could be seen.
