Polyarteritis Nodosa in Superior Mesenteric Artery: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

Polyarteritis nodosa(PAN) is a multisystem disease characterized by necrotizing vasculitis of small andmedium-sized arteries, and in 50% of all cases there is gastrointestinal involvement. We describe a patient withPAN involving the gastrointestinal tract. A small bowel series showed nodular fold thickening, submucosal fillingdefects, shallow ulcerations, segmental luminal narrowing, and decreased peristalsis at the duodenum, jejunum, andileum; superior mesenteric arteriography showed hypervascularity and microaneurysm. Segmental resection of thesmall bowel indicated the presence of PAN.