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 arteriopathy was confirmed on visceral angiography. Elevated anticardiolipin antibodies were detected before initiating therapy with methylprednisolone and IV pulse cyclophosphamide. Rapid subsidence of symptoms correlated with a gradual normalisation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. After 6 months of therapy anticardiolipin antibodies were within normal limits. Only one similar case has been reported so far.
Schoonjans
R
R
Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Van Vlem
B
B
Weyers
S
S
De Keyser
F
F
Praet
M
M
Versieck
J
J
Elewaut
A
A
D000792:Angiography; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010488:Polyarteritis Nodosa / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008775:Methylprednisolone