What is "polyarteritis nodosa"

n. a progressive disease of connective tissue that is characterized by nodules along arteries; nodules may block the artery and result in inadequate circulation to the particular area [syn: periarteritis nodosa]

Polyarteritis nodosa, also known as panarteritis nodosa, periarteritis nodosa, Kussmaul disease, Kussmaul- Maier disease or PAN, is a systemic vasculitis of small- or medium-sized muscular arteries, typically involving renal and visceral vessels but sparing the pulmonary circulation. Polyarteritis nodosa may present in infants. In polyarteritis nodosa, small aneurysms are strung like the beads of a rosary, therefore making "rosary sign" an important diagnostic feature of the vasculitis.

With treatment, five-year survival is 80%; without treatment, five-year survival is 13%. Death is often a consequence of kidney failure, myocardial infarction, or stroke.