An unusual complication of polyarteritis nodosa with massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage: a case report

BACKGROUND AND CASE REPORT: Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis that affects medium-sized and occasionally involves small arteries leading to the disruption of the internal and external elastic lamina and contribute to the development of aneurysms. Aneurysms develop at bifurcation of major blood vessels; they are prone to thrombosis, rupture and haemorrhage. Retroperitoneal haemorrhage around kidneys was previously reported in patients with PAN. We report a case of massive retroperitoneal bleeding from inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm rupture in a 70-year-old female with PAN. CONCLUSION: Prognosis of untreated PAN is very poor with 20% 5 year survival rate, therefore early recognition of the disease will prevent catastrophic complications and improves survival.