Objectives:

To report the clinical manifestations and therapeutic schemes established in three patients with cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, as well as to describe the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic options.

Methods:

A literature review was performed using Google scholar and PubMed and MeSH terms. There was no limit on the publication date or language for the selection of the articles.

Results:

Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa is an uncommon small and medium-sized vessel vasculitis, and is rarely reported in Colombia. Although its pathophysiology is unknown, it is considered to be mediated by the deposition of immunocomplexes in the walls of blood vessels. It can be triggered by infectious agents and be associated with autoimmune diseases. The cutaneous manifestations mainly include subcutaneous painful nodules, livedo reticularis, and ulcers. Myalgia, arthralgia, peripheral neuropathy, and fever can also be present. It represents a diagnostic challenge. Treatment is not standardized and is guided according to the severity.

Conclusions:

Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa is a rare entity, with a wide variety of cutaneous manifestations. There is still no specific diagnostic test. Its diagnosis represents a challenge for the dermatologist, and requires multidisciplinary management, in which the rheumatologist plays a fundamental role.

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