Hepatitis B-related polyarteritis nodosa presenting necrotizing vasculitis in the hepatobiliary system successfully treated with lamivudine, plasmapheresis and glucocorticoid

Intern Med. 2006;45(3):145-9. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.45.1460. Epub 2006 Mar 1.

Abstract

A 64-year-old man was admitted for alithiasic cholecystitis. Necrotizing vasculitis was detected in a gallbladder obtained at the cholecystectomy. Slight elevation of transaminases, HBe antigens and hepatitis B-DNA (HBV-DNA) were detected in the patient. Intrahepatic necrotizing vasculitis was also detected in the liver biopsy specimen, and he also suffered from peripheral neuropathy of suddenly onset. Based on the diagnosis of hepatitis B-related polyarteritis nodosa, lamivudine was initially administered, followed by plasmapheresis and glucocorticoid steroid therapy. These treatments brought satisfactory improvement of polyarteritis nodosa without exacerbation of liver function.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cholecystitis / complications
  • Gallbladder Diseases / pathology
  • Gallbladder Diseases / therapy
  • Gallbladder Diseases / virology*
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Hepatitis B / complications*
  • Hepatitis B / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Lamivudine / therapeutic use*
  • Liver Diseases / pathology
  • Liver Diseases / therapy
  • Liver Diseases / virology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasmapheresis*
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / pathology
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / therapy
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / virology*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Lamivudine