Polyarteritis nodosa

An autoimmune disease (immune system attacking its own body) characterized by spontaneous inflammation of the arteries (arteritis) of the body. Because arteries are involved, the disease can affect any organ

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polyarteritis no·do·sa -nō-'dō-sə n an acute inflammatory disease that involves all layers of the arterial wall and is characterized by degeneration, necrosis, exudation, and the formation of inflammatory nodules along the outer layer called also periarteritis nodosa

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(periarteritis nodosa)

a disease of unknown cause in which there is patchy inflammation of the walls of the arteries. It is one of the connective-tissue disease. Common manifestations are arthritis, neuritis, asthma, skin rashes, hypertension, kidney failure, and fever. The inflammation is suppressed by corticosteroid drugs (such as prednisolone).

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(PAN) a form of systemic necrotizing vasculitis involving the small and medium-sized arteries with signs and symptoms resulting from infarction and scarring of the affected organ system. Called also Kussmaul or Kussmaul-Maier disease, necrotizing arteritis, panarteritis nodosa, and periarteritis nodosa.

Polyarteritis nodosa seen in an arteriogram of a pediatric patient with renovascular hypertension caused by renal artery stenosis, with arterial lesions characterized by multiple thrombi and aneurysms.