Polyarteritis Nodosa—A Syndrome

Abstract

The history of polyarteritis nodosa is briefly reviewed. Findings from a study of 18 cases with generalized necrotizing vasculitis are presented. Eight patients with pulmonary vascular lesions did not have significant respiratory symptoms. In 1 patients with hemoptysis and another with severe pneumonia, primary vascular lesions could not be demonstrated in the lungs at autopsy. The value of a clinical classification based on the presence of pulmonary symptoms is questioned. It is stressed that although conditions in which necrotizing vasculitis occurs are called by many "polyarteritis nodosa," these conditions represent a variety of clinicopathologic entities, most of unknown etiology.