Polyarteritis nodosa involving the hard palate: A case report

Abstract

Introduction. Polyarteritis nodosa is a rare disease resulting from blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), causing damage to organ systems and featuring an extended range of possible symptoms. The cause of polyarteritis nodosa is unknown. Case presentation. In the present report we describe the presentation and treatment of polyarteritis nodosa involving the hard palate in an 88-year-old Caucasian woman. Clinical and laboratory analyses showed stenosis of the greater palatine artery, which led to necrosis of the affected area. At one year after pharmacological treatment, the lesion has regressed completely. Conclusions: We successfully treated a case of polyarteritis nodosa via a pharmacological approach, which we describe here. © 2013 Ortu et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.