Keywords
Polyarteritis nodosa, Henoch-Schonlein purpura (Immunoglobulin A-associated vasculitis), vasculitis
Polyarteritis nodosa, Henoch-Schonlein purpura (Immunoglobulin A-associated vasculitis), vasculitis
1. We added the exact course of the disease according to referees' comments
2. We added a new name for the Henoch-Schonlein purpura (IgAV)
3. We added other manifestations of the disease
4. We added new references based on referees' comments
See the authors' detailed response to the review by Patricia Woo
See the authors' detailed response to the review by Marco de Vincentiis
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic vasculitis that mostly involves medium sized arteries, and sometimes involves small arteries1. The prevalence of PAN is estimated to be 2 to 33 million individuals2,3. The annual incidence in some areas of Europe estimate 4.4 to 9.7 per million population4. The diagnosis is most commonly made in middle-aged or older adults and increases with age, and its peak is in the sixth decade of life2. Polyarteritis nodosa can mimic the clinical manifestations of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) that is newly named Immunoglobulin A-associated vasculitis (IgAV). It is difficult to differentiate between PAN and HSP (IgAV), at an early stage. If PAN is not diagnosed and treated at an early stage, it has a high morbidity5,6. Considering that PAN is a rare disease and requires a high clinical suspicion for diagnosis, here, we report a case of PAN and the reasoning behind its diagnosis in our patient.
The patient was a 65 year old woman from Yasouj (south of Iran) that came to our hospital due to abdominal pain and skin lesion on right upper and right lower extremities, which were was mostly on the distal of extremities, for since 2 weeks preadmission. Other complaints of the patient were diarrhea, vomiting, chills, fever, and anorexia. The patient did not complain of arthralgia. In the past medical history, the patient had Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension, and Bell's palsy one week pre-admission (treatment with 40mg prednisolone QD).
On examination of the skin, the patient had palpable plaque in the erythematous and purpuric context with vesicular and bulla lesion on right upper and right lower extremities that mostly extended to the distal part (Figure 1). An abdominal examination revealed mild tenderness in the epigaster. The Right lower extremities were warm and end pulses were normal. In active and passive motion of the joints had not painful movements. Neurologic exam of the right lower extremity revealed decreased sense and motor function (muscle power 4/5).
Laboratory tests: HCV, HBV, HIV, ANA (antinuclear antibodies), cryoglobulin, anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies, complement (C3 and C4), perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (P-ANCA and C-ANCA), all were normal. Urine analysis, Kidney performance (BUN and Creatinine) tests was normal, amylase and lipase levels were normal. ESR was 40mm/h (Normal under 20mm/h), occult blood one pluses positive, and hemoglobin was 11/9 g/L (Normal 13–16g/l).
Skin biopsy: Mild hyperkeratosis, slight spongiosis with intact basal layer. The dermis showed moderate to severe perivascular PMN infiltration with vessel wall degeneration and extravasation of RBCs. A diagnosis of a vasculitis leukocytoclastic variant (immunofluorescence is not available at our center).
Evaluation of patient anemia and GI tract were done via endoscopy and colonoscopy.
Endoscopy: Patchy erythematous lesions were observed.
Abdominopelvic CT scan (Figure 2): A 130mm of segment of terminal ileum had diffuse wall thickening (3–8mm) associated with mesenteric fat. Narrow enhancement of inferior mesenteric artery with patchy filling defect, poor enhancement of terminal branches. Therefore, suspicions were: 1)vasculitis, 2)mesenteric ischemia.
Narrow enhancement of the inferior mesenteric artery can be observed (blue arrow).
Colonoscopy: Diffuse mucosal erythema and erosions were seen in the rectum until 6cm of anal verge. Hemorrhoid without active bleeding in anus, few erythema and ophtus ulcer in cecum. Terminal ileum was not intubated. A diagnosis of a rectal erosion maybe due to vasculitis.
Electromyogram test and nerve conduction velocity: Upper extremities reported bilateral mild carpal tunnel syndrome, and in right lower extremities mononeuritis multiplex could not be ruled out.
Echocardiography: No evidence of any other disorder.
Final diagnosis: Vasculitis PAN or complicated HSP (IgAV)
Therapeutic intervention
The patient received 1000 mg methylprednisolone IV pulse daily for 3 days, and 750mg cyclophosphamide IV pulse every two weeks for 3 weeks.
After 24 hours of receiving corticosteroid pulses and cyclophosphamide, the symptoms of the patient subsided, with skin lesions going into remission. Currently, the patient is being treated with 50mg prednisolone daily, after 2 weeks, if there is no recurrence of patient symptoms we will taper off corticosteroids amount by 10%. We will reduce the dose of corticosteroids until we have control of patient symptoms, then we will make decisions depending on the patient’s condition.
Unlike other vasculitis’s such as microscopic polyarthritis or Wegener’s, PAN is not associated with ANCA7. The organs most often affected in PAN are the skin, renal and GI tract. Cardiac involvement can manifest itself with hypertension, or even ischemic heart disease8. In the skin, PAN may manifest by erythematous nodules, livedo reticularis, ulcer, bullous or vesicular eruption and purpura7,9,10. Gastrointestinal symptoms that may be seen include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, melena, bloody or non-bloody diarrhea, and life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding11. One of the most common manifestations of patients with PAN is mononeuropathy multiplex that typically involves both motor and sensory deficits in up 70% of patients7,12. Some of the patients have sensorineural hearing loss13 Most cases of PAN are idiopathic, although hepatitis B virus infection, hepatitis C virus infection, and hairy cell leukemia are important in the pathogenesis of some cases3,4,14,15. PAN can mimic the clinical manifestations of HSP (IgAV). It is difficult to differentiate between PAN and HSP (IgAV) at an early stage5. The biopsy pattern helps to differentiate between PAN and HSP (IgAV); in tissue studies of HSP (IgAV) leukocytoclastic vasculitis in postcapillary venules together with IgA deposition is observed16. As already mentioned, PAN is most commonly seen in middle-aged or older adults3, while HSP (IgAV) is a childhood disease that occurs between the ages of 3 and 15 years17. Neurologic manifestation in HSP (IgAV) is rare. Single reports and case series document neurologic manifestations including headaches, intracerebral hemorrhage, focal neurologic deficits, ataxia, seizures, and central and peripheral neuropathy in children with HSP (IgAV)18. According to EULAR/PRINTO/PRES classification criteria, there was no renal failure, arthralgia and arthritis in this patient, but basis on other item, HSP (IgAV) could be diagnosis19. In the present case, using clinical manifestations and laboratory tests, we excluded another differential diagnosis apart from PAN. Considering that PAN and HSP (IgAV) have narrowing clinical manifestation, we differentiated between the two diseases by age and neuropathy. However, although the diagnosis of the present patient is PAN, for a better diagnosis, immunofluorescence of the biopsy was needed, which is not available in our center. Finally, diagnosis and treatment of PAN are important. PAN should be considered in a patient with skin lesions and neurological impairment.
All data underlying the results are available as part of the article and no additional source data are required.
Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of the patient’s clinical details and accompanying images.
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Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.
Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.
Is the background of the case’s history and progression described in sufficient detail?
Partly
Are enough details provided of any physical examination and diagnostic tests, treatment given and outcomes?
Partly
Is sufficient discussion included of the importance of the findings and their relevance to future understanding of disease processes, diagnosis or treatment?
No
Is the case presented with sufficient detail to be useful for other practitioners?
Partly
Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.
Is the background of the case’s history and progression described in sufficient detail?
Partly
Are enough details provided of any physical examination and diagnostic tests, treatment given and outcomes?
Partly
Is sufficient discussion included of the importance of the findings and their relevance to future understanding of disease processes, diagnosis or treatment?
Partly
Is the case presented with sufficient detail to be useful for other practitioners?
Yes
References
1. De Virgilio A, Greco A, Magliulo G, Gallo A, et al.: Polyarteritis nodosa: A contemporary overview.Autoimmun Rev. 2016; 15 (6): 564-70 PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full TextCompeting Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.
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