J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2004 Dec;11(4):447-452.

Three Cases with Cutaneous Polyarteritis Nodosa

• Bang KT
• Herr H
• Kim MJ
• Lee BH
• Bae KW
• Kim YC
• Chang HK

Abstract

Systemic polyarteritis nodosa is a necrotizing vasculitis that involves small and medium-sized muscular arteries in the multiple organ systems, whereas cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (CPAN) is a localized disease characterized by necrotizing vasculitis of small and medium-sized arteries in the skin without life-threatening organ involvement. CPAN is usually limited to skin, muscle, and joints. It is chronic but takes a benign course. The most common cutaneous manifestations include nodules, ulcers and a livedo reticularis pattern on the extremities. We describe three cases with CPAN showing necrotizing vasculitis on the skin without systemic symptoms or visceral involvement. In Korea, most previously published cases with CPAN have shown a good response to a short term of corticosteroids or colchicine administration. However, two of our three patients required another immunosuppressive agent in addition to corticosteroids to manage their intractable skin lesions, and the remaining one showed a good response to a short course of prednisolone. In addition, there was one patient with CPAN having hepatitis B surface antigen, which might be associated with his refractory skin disease.

Keyword

Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa; Necrotizing vasculitis; Refractory skin disease; HBS Ag

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Arteries
Colchicine
Extremities
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Humans
Joints
Korea
Livedo Reticularis
Polyarteritis Nodosa*
Prednisolone
Skin
Skin Diseases
Ulcer
Vasculitis
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Colchicine
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Prednisolone