Abstract

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic illness characterised by necrotising inflammation of medium-sized arteries leading to aneurysm formation. It affects the viscera and other organs. Patients with PAN renal involvement are often mild only 15-20 per cent of patients has renal impairment. Gastrointestinal involvement is frequent found in 40 per cent of patients, and carries a high morbidity and mortality. Rarely, it is possible to fulminate and life threading progression on the course of PAN. A patient with fatal polyarteritis nodosa is described in spite of intensive therapy.