Polyarteritis Nodosa

Abstract

Polyarteritis nodosa was first described in 1866 by Zarco. Histologically, it is characterized by necrosis of the medium-sized arteries.

Clinical case: A 63-year-old patient presented with myalgia, blurred vision, paresthesias and loss of muscle strength. On physical exam, he had hypesthesia in the left foot. Paraclinical studies ruled out small vessel vasculitis, and, in the end, the biopsy was compatible with polyarteritis nodosa.

Discussion: this is a low prevalence entity with widely variable clinical manifestations. Therefore, the American College of Rheumatology criteria must be used for diagnosis, keeping in mind that the gold standard is histopathology. It is treated with immunosuppressants and the patient´s prognosis is determined through the assessment of four criteria