Localized nodular vasculitis: A new variant of localized cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa?

G. Quintana¹, E.L. Matteson², A. Fernández¹, J.F. Restrepo¹, A. Iglesias1

Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; ²Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

ABSTRACT
Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) was first described by Lindberg in 1931. This initial description was followed by many case reports and series, including those of Díaz-Pérez and Win-kelmann, who used a strict definition based on cutaneous involvement, and Chen and Daoud who classified the condition into three well differentiated groups. The cutaneous form of PAN is distinct from the systemic form due to its chronic, recurrent, benign nature, the absence of internal organ involvement, and the presence of inflammation in medium and small vessels of the deep dermis and panniculus. In the present article we report our findings for 12 patients with a variant of cutaneous PAN consisting of painful erythematous nodular lesions not preceded or followed by livedo reticularis, that were located exclusively on the lower third of the legs and responded slowly to treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.

Key words
Polyarteritis nodosa, cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, nodular vasculitis.

Please address correspondence to: Eric L. Matteson, MD, MPH, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
E-mail: matteson.eric@mayo.edu

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2004; 22 (Suppl. 36): S317-S34.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2004.