POLYARTERITIS NODOSA.

Systemic vasculitis affecting medium and small muscular arteries- kidneys 85%, heart 75%, liver 65%, GI 50%

Morphology - acute (fibrinoid necrosis with infiltrate), healed (fibrosis, calcification and infiltrate)

PATHOLOGY: Multiple organs involved, but the lungs are characteristically not involved.

CLINICAL FEATURES:

fever, malaise, weakness, leukocytosis and specific organ involvement

Condition is associated with Hepatitis-B in about 30% of cases.

Treatment: steroids, cyclophosphamide