ABSTRACT
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare vasculitis that mainly involves small and medium arteries. It often occurs at the points where the vessels bifurcate, leading to microaneurysm formation, thrombosis, aneurysm rupture and bleeding, and infarction of organs.About a third of cases are associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.All tissues and organs of the body can be affected, with skin, joints and peripheral nerves being the most common.The pathological changes were fibrinoid necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration and luminal thrombosis in the acute stage, and fibrous hyperplasia in the chronic stage.Overall outcomes for the disease have improved in recent decades, mainly reflecting early diagnosis and more effective treatments.The main treatments for PAN are glucocorticoid and cyclophosphamide.Patients with HBV-associated PAN should receive antiviral therapy and plasma exchange.
