Cutaneous Polyarteritis Nodosa Presenting With Digital Gangrene And Breast Ulcer

    October 2013 in “ International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases ”
    Pooja Dhaon, Nagma Bansal, Siddharth Kumar Das, Anupam Wakhlu, Vini Tandon
    TLDR A young woman with severe symptoms of CPAN improved with intensive treatment but needed a leg amputation.
    The document described a case of a 23-year-old woman with cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (CPAN) presenting unusually with digital gangrene and a breast ulcer. Despite CPAN typically being a benign condition affecting small and medium-sized arteries in the skin, this patient experienced severe ischemic loss in both lower limbs and a breast ulcer. Laboratory tests and biopsies confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment included high-dose steroids and cyclophosphamide, leading to the healing of the breast ulcer and regression of gangrene, though below-knee amputation was necessary. The case highlighted the need for intensive treatment in severe CPAN presentations.
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