Polyarteritis nodosa
is a serious blood vessel disease. Small and medium-sized
arteries become swollen and damaged when they are
attacked by rogue immune cells.
Polyarteritis nodosa
is a disease of unknown cause that affects arteries,
the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood
to organs and tissues. It occurs when certain
immune cells attack the affected arteries.
The condition affects
adults more frequently than children. It damages
the tissues supplied by the affected arteries
because they don't receive enough oxygen and nourishment
without a proper blood supply.
In this disease,
symptoms result from damage to affected organs,
often the skin, heart, kidneys, and nervous system.
Generalized symptoms
include fever, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite,
and weight loss. Muscle and joint aches are common.
The skin may show rashes, swelling, ulcers, and
lumps.
Nerve involvement
may cause sensory changes with numbness, pain,
burning, and weakness. Central nervous system
involvement may cause strokes or seizures. Kidney
involvement can produce varying degrees of renal
failure.
Involvement of
the arteries of the heart may cause a heart attack,
heart failure, and inflammation of the sack around
the heart (pericarditis).
There are no specific
lab tests for diagnosing polyarteritis nodosa. Diagnosis
is generally based upon the physical examination
and a few laboratory studies that help to confirm
the diagnosis:
