Reversible bilateral hydronephrosis without obstruction in hepatitis B-associated polyarteritis nodosa.

The manifestations of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) are varied, but urological abnormalities other than ureteric stenosis and orchitis have not been described. We report a case of hepatitis B-associated PAN with bilateral hydronephrosis without obstruction. Retrograde urography conclusively demonstrated the absence of obstruction. Vasculitis-related myopathy, or neuropathy of the ureter, is the most likely cause of this finding. The patient was treated with high-dose steroids, cyclophosphamide, and plasmapheresis with resolution of hydronephrosis. Although the patient required dialysis at initiation of therapy, she went on to recover sufficient renal function to discontinue dialysis. We review the literature on the treatment of hepatitis B-associated PAN and discuss the pitfalls in diagnosis of this condition.