Laparoscopic Findings in Polyarteritis Nodosa

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Abstract
The laparoscopic findings of 6 patients with histologically proven P.A.N. [polyarteritis nodosa] are described. In 5 cases, a fibrous thickening of the liver capsule was observed. The capsular thickening was present only along the course of the arteries. It had a segmental distribution, which presented the appearance of an arterial coat. Biopsy of these segments demonstrated typical inflammatory infiltrates of P.A.N. None of the 248 laparoscopic examinations used as controls had such findings. These laparoscopic findings may represent the segmental arterial lesions of P.A.N., although further studies are necessary to establish its diagnostic sensitivity ans specificity.