title: The incidence of microaneurysms in polyarteritis nodosa.
abstract: Following reports of hemorrhage from renal microaneurysms caused by renal biopsy, renal arteriography has been used increasingly as a screening procedure prior to renal biopsy as well as for diagnostic investigation. The incidence of renal microaneurysms has been documented in a group of 40 cases of suspected polyarteritis nodosa, of whom 15 were confirmed, and only 2 had microaneurysms. Both subjects with microaneurysms had more florid clinical disease. In view of the low incidence of microaneurysms it is suggested that renal angiography should be used as a diagnostic investigation only in cases with florid clinical disease and not as a screening procedure prior to renal biopsy.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Sellar
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Buist
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D000792:Angiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010488:Polyarteritis Nodosa / Q000150:complications*; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*