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Pericarditis of Polyarteritis Nodosa
Robert Ambrogetti1, Omer Taha1, Baseer Awan2
1Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, GBR.
Cureus
|October 12, 2023
Summary
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), a rare vasculitis, typically presents with constitutional symptoms. This case highlights pericarditis as an uncommon initial manifestation of PAN in an elderly female.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare systemic vasculitis affecting medium-sized arteries.
- It can be idiopathic or secondary to various conditions, with diverse clinical presentations.
- Cardiac involvement is a known complication but rarely the initial symptom.
Observation:
- A female patient in her 60s presented with pericarditis.
- This cardiac manifestation was the first recognized sign of the disease.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN).
- Pericarditis served as the initial clinical presentation of PAN in this case.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering PAN in patients presenting with pericarditis, even without typical symptoms.
- It expands the understanding of PAN's varied initial presentations.
- Highlights the need for a broad differential diagnosis in vasculitis.
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