[Two cases of polyarteritis nodosa with a good prognosis?].
BACKGROUND
Polyarteritis nodosa is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis that may become serious, even with no usual poor prognosis factors.


METHODS
We report two cases of polyarteritis nodosa with negative histology, starting only with an extensive necrosis of the extremities. The treatment, associating corticosteroids and, secondarily, immunosuppressors, did not prevent a bilateral half-leg amputation for the two patients. In the first case the disease stabilized, but in the second one, it worsened, leading to death within 2 years.


CONCLUSIONS
This clinical aspect of the disease is unusual and should be identified because of its bad prognosis. It might benefit from a treatment from the outset associating corticosteroids and immunosuppressors, even with no usual bad prognosis factors.
Simorre
B
B
Service de médecine interne B, hôpital Saint-Eloi, 2, avenue Bertin-Sans, 34295 Montpellier, France. bernard.simorre@wanadoo.fr
Braun
E
E
Dubois
A
A
Quéré
I
I
Yeche
S
S
Reynaud
D
D
Janbon
C
C
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007866:Leg / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D010488:Polyarteritis Nodosa / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents