Polyarteritis nodosa : successful diagnostic imaging utilizing pulsed and color Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomography angiography

• Published in: European journal of pediatrics Vol. 165; no. 2; pp. 120 - 123
• Main Authors: ÖZCAKAR, Z. Birsin, YALCINKAYA, Fatos, FITOZ, Suat, YUKSEL, Selcuk, ACAR, Banu, CALTIK, Aysun, EKIM, Mesiha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.02.2006; Berlin Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Aneurysm - diagnostic imaging; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular system; General aspects; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Kidney - diagnostic imaging; Liver - diagnostic imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Polyarteritis Nodosa - diagnosis; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; Human; Doppler ultrasound study; Sonography; Pediatrics; Radiodiagnosis; Angiography; Cardiovascular disease; Periarteritis nodosa; Color image; Vascular disease; Computed tomography angiography; Vasculitis; Systemic disease; Echography; Medical imagery; Computerized axial tomography; Diagnosis; Children; PAN; Child; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 0340-6199; 1432-1076
• DOI: 10.1007/s00431-005-0012-0

The diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is often delayed because patients present with diverse clinical symptoms, but with less disease-specific signs. However, early diagnosis and treatment of PAN is necessary to prevent serious organ damage. Herein, we present a boy in whom the diagnosis of classical PAN was established rapidly with ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) angiography. Moreover, complete disappearance of the aneurysms after one month of therapy was documented. This case is presented in order to underline the role of new imaging techniques in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with PAN.