The incidence of microaneurysms in polyarteritis nodosa

• Published in: Cardiovascular and interventional radiology Vol. 9; no. 3; pp. 123 - 126
• Main Authors: SELLAR, R. J, MACKAY, I. G, BUIST, T. A. S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01-05-1986; Berlin
• Subjects: Adult; Aneurysm - diagnostic imaging; Aneurysm - etiology; Angiography; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Polyarteritis Nodosa - complications; Renal Artery - diagnostic imaging; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Human; Connective tissue disease; Cardiovascular disease; Periarteritis nodosa; Microaneurysm; Blood vessel
• ISSN: 0174-1551; 1432-086X
• DOI: 10.1007/bf02577919

Following reports of hemorrhage from renal microaneurysms caused by renal biopsy, renal arteriography has been used increasingly as a screening procedure prior to renal biopsy as well as for diagnostic investigation. The incidence of renal microaneurysms has been documented in a group of 40 cases of suspected polyarteritis nodosa, of whom 15 were confirmed, and only 2 had microaneurysms. Both subjects with microaneurysms had more florid clinical disease. In view of the low incidence of microaneurysms it is suggested that renal angiography should be used as a diagnostic investigation only in cases with florid clinical disease and not as a screening procedure prior to renal biopsy.