Does polyarteritis nodosa affect the lungs?

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a necrotizing systemic medium vessel vasculitis, which is typically antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) negative and rarely affects the lungs. With the decline of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the evolving definitions of vasculitis, PAN is becoming a rare disease.

How do you test for polyarteritis nodosa?

The diagnosis is confirmed by a biopsy showing pathologic changes in medium-sized arteries. The biopsy site may vary. Most biopsies are taken from skin, symptomatic nerve, or muscle. An angiogram of the abdominal blood vessels may also be very helpful in diagnosing PAN.

What angiographic findings are typical for polyarteritis nodosa?

Other angiographic features of polyarteritis nodosa include tortuous vessels with irregular lumina, segmental luminal narrowing or dilatation, infarctions, vascular irregularity, segmental occlusions, and hypervascularity in regions of PAN.

Can vasculitis be seen on a CT scan?

Imaging tests for vasculitis include X-rays, ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET).

Does polyarteritis affect the lungs?

Key points. Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a necrotizing systemic medium vessel vasculitis, which is typically antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) negative and rarely affects the lungs.

Does Pan affect the lungs?

PAN can affect virtually any organ but has a striking tendency to spare the lungs. Clinical variants or subsets of PAN include single-organ disease and cutaneous-only PAN. (See “Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa”.)

What is the most involved organ in polyarteritis nodosa?

The areas most commonly affected by PAN include the nerves, intestinal tract, heart, and joints.

Is polyarteritis nodosa ANCA positive?

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is not associated with ANCA and does not affect capillaries. Therefore, it does not cause glomerulonephritis or alveolar hemorrhage.

How do you diagnose pan?

Diagnosis of PAN Diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa is confirmed by biopsy showing necrotizing arteritis or by arteriography showing the typical aneurysms in medium-sized arteries. Magnetic resonance angiography may show microaneurysms, but some abnormalities may be too small for it to detect.

How is autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis diagnosed?

Vasculitis is diagnosed based on signs and symptoms, medical history, a physical exam and test results. Laboratory tests – blood and urine tests may show abnormal levels of certain blood cells and antibodies (proteins) in the blood. Biopsy – this is often the best way to make a firm diagnosis of vasculitis.