periarteritis nodosa

periarteritis /peri·ar·ter·i·tis/ (-ahr-ter-i´tis) inflammation of the external coats of an artery and of the tissues around the artery.

---

periarteritis nodo´sa 

1. polyarteritis nodosa.

2. a group comprising polyarteritis nodosa, allergic granulomatous angiitis, and many systemic necrotizing vasculitides with clinicopathologic characteristics overlapping these two.

---

periarteritis no·do·sa (n-ds)

n.

See polyarteritis nodosa.

---

periarteritis nodosa,

a progressive polymorphic disease of the connective tissue that is characterized by numerous large and palpable nodules or clusters of visible nodules along segments of middle-sized arteries, particularly near points of bifurcation. The disease causes occlusion of vessels, resulting in regional ischemia, hemorrhage, necrosis, and pain. Early signs of the disease include tachycardia, fever, weight loss, and pain in the viscera. Kidney, lung, and intestinal involvement is common. Other systems and organs of the body may also be affected. Periarteritis nodosa is treated with corticosteroids and cytotoxic drugs. Also called necrotizing angiitis.

---

periarteritis

inflammation of the outer coat of an artery and of the tissues surrounding it.

---

periarteritis nodosa

an inflammatory disease of the coats of small and medium-sized arteries, marked by a variety of systemic signs. Seen sporadically in domestic animals and in humans associated with hepatitis B antigen. See also collagen diseases. Called also Kussmaul's disease, polyarteritis, panarteritis nodosa.