Polyarteritis nodosa Health Dictionary

An uncommon disease of medium-sized arteries, also

called periarteritis nodosa. Areas of arterial wall become inflamed, weakened, and liable to aneurysms. The severity of the condition depends on the arteries that are affected and how much they are weakened. The cause seems to be an immune system disturbance, sometimes triggered by exposure to the hepatitis B virus. It is most common in adults and affects men more than women.

Early symptoms of polyarteritis nodosa include fever, aching muscles and joints, general malaise, loss of appetite and weight, and, sometimes, nerve pain. There is also hypertension, skin ulceration, and gangrene. If the coronary arteries are affected, myocardial infarction may occur. Many patients suffer abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and blood in the faeces.

Diagnosis is made by biopsy and angiography. Large doses of corticosteroids, and in some cases immunosuppressants, may allow survival for at least 5 years. Without treatment, few patients survive for this length of time.

Also known as periarteritis nodosa. A rare but potentially serious disease, probably caused by a disturbance of the immune system (see IMMUNITY). Prolonged fever and obscure symptoms referable to any system of the body are associated with local areas of in?ammation along the arteries, giving rise to nodules in their walls. Large doses of CORTICOSTEROIDS, coupled with IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT treatment, usually curtail the disorder. Recovery occurs in about 50 per cent of cases.

(periarteritis nodosa) a disease of unknown cause in which there is necrotizing inflammation of the walls of small and medium sized arteries, not associated with *ANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies). Common manifestations are weight loss, testicular pain, myalgia, neuritis, skin rashes, hypertension, and renal disease. Treatment is with corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs (such as cyclophosphamide).