Polyarteritis nodosa associated with ulcerative colitis

Three months after colectomy for severe ulcerative colitis, an 18-year-old male presented with a multisystem illness characterized by fever, arthralgias, hypertension, and declining renal function. A diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa was made histologically and confirmed angiographically. Clinical and pathological findings suggest that the patient had 2 separate illnesses. Potential implications of this unique association are briefly discussed.