Panarteritis cutanea benigna – an entity limited to the skin or cutaneous presentation of a systemic necrotizing vasculitis? Report of seven cases and review of the literature

Abstract

The etiology of panarteritis nodosa cutanea is unknown in detail. Both focal infections and hypersensitivity reactions are discussed. Differential diagnosis includes systemic panarteritis, livedo reticularis, Sneddon's syndrome or erythema nodosum. Despite the prognostically favorable but prolonged chronic course of the disease over decades, patients should be regularly examined to exclude possible transition to systemic disease.