Polyarteritis Nodosa Neurologic Manifestations.

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a necrotizing vasculitis affecting medium-sized vessels whose main manifestations are weight loss, fever, peripheral neuropathy, renal, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal tract and/or cutaneous involvement(s), hypertension and/or cardiac failure. Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most frequent and earliest symptoms, affecting 50% to 75% of PAN patients. Central nervous system involvement affects only 2% to 10% of PAN patients, often late during the disease course. Treatment relies on combining corticosteroids and an immunosuppressant (mainly cyclophosphamide) in patients with poor prognoses. In patients with hepatitis B virus-related PAN, plasma exchanges and antiviral drugs should be combined with corticosteroids.