CUTANEOUS PERIARTERITIS-NODOSA - A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF 79 CASES

Cutaneous periarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a well-recognized entity chara cterized by tender subcutaneous nodules and livedo that may ulcerate. The pathogenesis of cutaneous PAN is not known. The objective of the s tudy was to evaluate the clinical and histological features of 79 case s of cutaneous PAN and to investigate any clinical, pathological and i mmunological differences that may distinguish those cases likely to ha ve a prolonged course. A retrospective analysis of 79 cases was conduc ted. Thirty-nine patients had ulcers during the course of their illnes s. Women were affected more than men, Painful nodules on the lower ext remities, with oedema and swelling, were the most common clinical find ing; 22% of patients had some evidence of neuropathy. Most of the labo ratory findings were non-specific. There was no evidence for hepatitis B infection and hepatitis C infection was present in only one patient . Most patients (60%) had no associated medical condition. The disease course was prolonged but benign, and systemic PAN did not develop in any patient. Corticosteroids given systemically induced remission in m ost acute cases. The ulcerative form of disease was more prolonged and frequently associated with neuropathy.