Polyarteritis nodosa complicated by intrahepatic-perihepatic hemorrhage and acute appendicitis: successful treatment with cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids.

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic vasculitic disease characterised by necrotising inflammation of small and medium-sized arteries. Abdominal complications due to PAN are rare, but the death rate for these cases is high. We describe a serious case of PAN that involved intrahepatic-perihepatic haemorrhage and acute appendicitis. Exploratory laparotomy and appendectomy were performed, and the patient was successfully treated with cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids.