[Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in a case of polyarteritis nodosa]

A 68-year-old male admitted to our hospital because of fever, body weight loss and multiple mononeuropathy. He developed visual loss in his right eye due to anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION). Surgical treatment of jejunal perforation was performed and histological examination of jejunal ulcer confirmed the diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa (PN). Combination therapy of steroid (prednisolone 50 mg/day) and cyclophosphamide (50 mg/day) was started, which saved him from any other ischemic change including that of his left eye. As long as we know, AION occurring in PN is very rare, that is, only 4 cases have been reported in Japan.