IMP POINTS

Polyarteritis nodosa 

- every organ can be affected in the body, except the lung
- can be associated with hepatitis B

Symptoms:

- fever, malaise, weight loss, myalgias and arthralgia;

- GI: abdominal pain, bleeding, vomiting; Pain can be worsened by eating (mesenteric vasculitis);

- neurologic: mononeuritis multiplex; stroke in a young person!!!

- skin: purpura, petechiae, digital gangrene, livedo reticularis

Best initial test: ANGIOGRAPHY of renal, mesenteric or hepatic artery (aneurysmal dilatation)

Most accurate diagnostic test: Biopsy of symptomatic site

Treatment: Prednisone and Cyclophophamide and treat hep B