Fluctuating facial edema as a rare manifestation of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa: case report and review of the literature

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a necrotizing vasculitis. The clinical manifestations are determined by the location of the compromised arteries. Cutaneous PAN can present as nodular lesions similar to erythema nodosum, palpable purpura, livedo reticularis and ulceration. It often affects the lower limbs but other anatomical sites can also be involved. However, concomitant facial edema is an extremely rare manifestation. It has been more than 20 years since the last case report describing this unusual presentation of PAN. Furthermore, our patient is the first case presenting with hemifacial edema fluctuating every second or third day due to PAN confirmed by skin biopsy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Keywords: fluctuating facial edema; polyarteritis nodosa; vasculitis.