POLYARTERITIS-NODOSA AND THE ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME

We report a case of biopsy-proven polyarteritis nodosa (classic type) in association with the antiphospholipid syndrome. Medium-sized arteri opathy was confirmed on visceral angiography. Elevated anticardiolipin antibodies were detected before initiating therapy with methylprednis olone and IV pulse cyclophosphamide. Rapid subsidence of symptoms corr elated with a gradual normalisation of the erythrocyte sedimentation r ate. After 6 months of therapy anticardiolipin antibodies were within normal limits. Only one similar case has been reported so far.