Périartérite noueuse cutanée associée à une infection par le virus de l’hépatite C, régressive après une bithérapie antivirale

Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa and pulmonary arterial hypertension: An unexpected liaison. A case report

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (cPAN) is a form of medium-sized vessel necrotizing vasculitis. It is a rare, skin-limited variant of polyarteritis nodosa, characterized by dermal and subcutaneous tissue involvement. The most common findings in cPAN include digital gangrene, livedo reticularis, and tender subcutaneous nodules. However, while limited to the skin, cPAN results in significant morbidity and mortality due to the accompanying skin ischemia and necrosis, such that patients are vulnerable to superinfection. Here, we describe a unique presentation of cPAN associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

METHODS

A 78-year-old female presented with digital ischemia and leg ulcers associated with PAH. Skin biopsy showed necrotizing fibrinoid necrosis of the small- and middle-sized vessels of the dermis. A diagnosis of cPAN and PAH was made. The patient was treated with glucocorticoids, vasodilators, and cyclophosphamide.

RESULTS

She died due to severe sepsis complications.

CONCLUSION

To date, this is the first case report describing the association between cPAN and PAH. In this case, PAH is a complication of the cutaneous vasculitides suggesting that vasculopathy could play a role in the pathophysiology of PAH. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms still have to be firmly established.

Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa: a comprehensive review

Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa is a rare form of vasculitis relating to small-to-medium-sized arteries. Its etiology is unknown. Clinical manifestations include tender subcutaneous nodules, livedo reticularis, cutaneous ulcers and necrosis. Although it is distinct from systemic polyarteritris nodosa in that it lacks significant internal organ involvement, extra-cutaneous manifestations may be evident. Commonly encountered symptoms include fever, malaise, myalgias, arthralgias, and paresthesias. Exclusion of systemic polyarteritis nodosa is essential in diagnosis. The clinical course is chronic with remissions, relapses, and a favorable prognosis. Mild cases may resolve with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If more severe, treatment with systemic corticosteroids generally achieves adequate response; however, adjunctive therapy is often necessary to allow reduction in steroid dosage.

The role of infectious agents in the pathogenesis of vasculitis

Numerous human studies and animal models have implicated various infectious agents in the pathogenesis of vasculitis in susceptible hosts. However, the link between infection and vasculitis is very complex and only incompletely understood. In fact, different agents can induce the same type of vasculitis, as the case of leukocytoclastic vasculitis exemplifies. Conversely, the same agent can give rise to a panoply of host responses ranging from a clinically silent infection or localized organ involvement to devastating, widespread vasculitis.