Conflicts of interest Nil

AbstractIntroduction: Rheumatologists are well versed with the clinical syndrome of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) involving medium sized muscular arteries of the kidneys and other internal organs. However, they may not be so well acquainted with a rarer similar disorder known as cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (cPAN). This latter condition is rare and involves neutrophilic vasculitis of medium-sized arteries in the reticular dermis and subcutaneous tissue only. It is distinct from systemic polyarteritis nodosa (sPAN) because of the lack of internal organ involvement. Uncertainty exists whether the two conditions are different entities or on the same scale of vasculitis. Milder forms of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa resolve with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, whereas more severe refractory cases, often require corticosteroids and immunosuppressives.Case presentation: We present two cases of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa that reflect the gamut of this disorder. In our first case which followed a benign clinical course, a 34-year-old Filipino female presents with bilateral tender red nodules that resolved following initiation of prednisone and methotrexate. In our second case which featured a significant delay in diagnosis, a 55-year-old man with a five-month history of right lower limb ulcers with associated right common peroneal neuropathy was commenced on prednisone and methotrexate but was left with scarring and permanent peripheral nerve deficit.Conclusions: The two cases highlight the condition, informs the reader and expands the reported experience of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa which is a rare condition encountered in clinical practice. Abbreviations. cPAN, cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa; sPAN, systemic polyarteritis nodosa. Key words. Polyarteritis nodosa, cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, vasculitis, medium vessel vasculitis, case report