title: Polyarteritis nodosa involving the hard palate: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polyarteritis nodosa is a rare disease resulting from blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), causing damage to organ systems and featuring an extended range of possible symptoms. The cause of polyarteritis nodosa is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present report we describe the presentation and treatment of polyarteritis nodosa involving the hard palate in an 88-year-old Caucasian woman. Clinical and laboratory analyses showed stenosis of the greater palatine artery, which led to necrosis of the affected area. At one year after pharmacological treatment, the lesion has regressed completely.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We successfully treated a case of polyarteritis nodosa via a pharmacological approach, which we describe here.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Dentistry; Building Delta 6, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila; San Salvatore Hospital, Via Vetoio, L'Aquila, 67100, Italy. eleortu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ortu
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pietropaoli
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marzo
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giannoni
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Monaco