Abstract

Background: Polyarteritis nodosa or PAN is a rare disease. It is diagnosed frequently in middle age patients and the elderly. Reduction in hepatitis B virus infection has been associated with a reduction in the prevalence of PAN.

Case Presentation: We present a 78-year-old patient with extensive skin lesions, weight loss, high blood pressure (HBP), polyneuropathy, evidence of hepatitis B virus infection, and a biopsy showing vasculitis of small or medium-sized arteries. Corticosteroid and antiviral treatment were prescribed to the patient and with great results.

Conclusion: PAN is a necrotizing vasculitis that typically affects medium-sized vessels with occasional involvement of small vessels. It is prevalent in older male patients, mostly in patients in their 60s who have recurrent skin ulcers and high blood pressure.

Keywords: PAN vasculitis, Hepatitis B virus, Skin ulcers, Case report, High blood pressure, Vessels.