Polyarteritis Nodosa, Vasculitis - DermAtlas

Contributor

Bernard Cohen, MD

Diagnosis

polyarteritis nodosa vasculitis

Body Site

arm

Age

34 years

Pigmentation

medium

Organization

flexural surfaces

Color

red brown

Morphology

nodule

Pattern

localized

Comments

This young man developed painful nodules on his upper arm, which eventually broke down and ulcerated. He has a complicated medical history including inflammatory bowel disease and renal failure. Polyarteritis nodosa is a medium-sized vasculitis. There is a primary cutaneous form and a systemic form, which can be fatal. The histologic differential diagnosis includes infectious vasculitis and members of the ANCA+ disorders, including Wegener granulomatosis and Churg-Strauss syndrome. Clinical correlation is required for separation.

Description

The vessel shows fibrinoid necrosis of its wall. The wall contains numerous traversing neutrophils, which spill into the adjacent soft tissue.

Image Added

2/7/2007 21:51:06

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Other Resources

PubMed Medline Plus Medscape

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