Korean J Dermatol.
1995 Apr;33(2):225-231.
Clinical Features of Cutaneous Polyarteritis Nodosa
Abstract
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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.
