Cutaneous Polyarteritis Nodosa Treated with Pentoxifylline and Clobetasol Propionate: A Case Report

Abstract

Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (cPAN) is a rare type of cutaneous vasculitis. It affects the small- and medium-sized arteries of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue without extracutaneous involvement. The diagnosis is by skin biopsy, and the characteristic finding is a leukocytoclastic vasculitis. We report a case of a 14-year-old Saudi girl who was referred to the dermatology service because of multiple ulceronecrotic lesions on the frontal aspects of the distal lower limbs. She had past medical consultations and treatment but without improvement. The histopathology confirmed the clinical diagnosis of cPAN, and ultimately, she responded to treatment with pentoxifylline and topical clobetasol propionate. It is important to be aware of this disease and refer the patient to the dermatology service for the appropriate evaluation and treatment. Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa is a rare type of cutaneous vasculitis. It affects the small- and medium-sized arteries of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue without extracutaneous involvement. The diagnosis is by skin biopsy, and the characteristic finding is a leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The authors report a case of a 14-year-old Saudi girl who was referred to the dermatology department because of multiple ulceronecrotic lesions on the frontal aspects of the distal lower limbs. She had past medical consultations and treatment, but without improvement. Histopathology confirmed the clinical diagnosis of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, and ultimately, she responded to treatment with pentoxifylline and topical clobetasol propionate. It is important to be aware of this disease and refer the patient to dermatologists for the appropriate evaluation and treatment.