Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa in a young child

Abstract

A 5 1/2 -year-old girl presented with an acute febrile illness associated with limb and facial swelling, and a skin eruption. She was diagnosed as suffering from cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa. She was told to stay in bed and was given soluble aspirin. Now, more than 3 years later, she is well and symptom-free. The important diagnostic feature of this benign condition, which is distinct from the systemic disease, is the presence of skin nodules showing the histology of a necrotising arteritis at the junction of dermis and subcutaneous tissue.