Polyarteritis nodosa presenting as acute leg ischemia

J Rheumatol. 2003 Jun;30(6):1344-6.

Abstract

We describe a 33-year-old hypertensive woman with otherwise apparently good health, in whom acute leg ischemia by acute occlusion of the 3 infrapopliteal arteries led to the diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). Angiography and ultrasound imaging showed multiple microaneurysmal and thrombotic lesions, notably in the kidneys and the 4 extremities. Cutaneous biopsy showed necrotizing angiitis. She was treated with corticosteroids. Ischemia improved progressively, with normal walking after several months. Three points were remarkable in this case of PAN: (1) its unusual presentation; (2) the absence of constitutional symptoms despite the diffuse distribution of vascular lesions; (3) the good visualization of peripheral microaneurysms by ultrasonography (US), suggesting a potential diagnostic interest for US examination of the limbs in PAN.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Angiography
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ischemia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Leg / blood supply
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / diagnostic imaging*
  • Renal Circulation
  • Ultrasonography