Polyarteritis nodosa isolated to muscles-A case series with a review of the literature

Abstract

Muscular polyarteritis nodosa where disease is isolated to skeletal muscle is a rare and often poorly recognised clinical entity. Patients typically present with fever and severe muscle pain limiting ability to ambulate without rise in creatine kinase. Often there is a significant delay between presentation and diagnosis, which requires histological confirmation. Musculoskeletal MRI is a sensitive investigation that can lead to timely biopsy and improve diagnostic yield. Early diagnosis of this condition is essential as patients typically respond favourably to corticosteroid treatment. Here we report 4 cases of muscular polyarteritis nodosa and review the reported literature.

Keywords: Muscular; Myositis; Polyarteritis nodosa; Vasculitis.