bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN)
Diagnosis of PAN
A doctor's evaluation Blood tests Biopsy Arteriography Polyarteritis nodosa can be difficult to diagnose. Doctors suspect polyarteritis nodosa when people have a certain combination of symptoms and blood test results. For example, doctors may suspect the diagnosis if a previously healthy middle-aged person has various combinations of symptoms such as an unexplained fever, evidence of a certain pattern of nerve damage (such as difficulty raising a foot or bending the wrist), sores on the skin, pain in the abdomen or limbs, joint or muscle pain, or rapidly developing high blood pressure. To confirm the diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa, doctors may take a small sample of an affected organ and examine it under a microscope (biopsy) or take x-rays of the blood vessels ( Arteriography ). For arteriography, images are recorded after a dye that is visible on x-rays (radiopaque contrast agent) is injected. Sometimes magnetic resonance angiography may be done to check for irregularities such as narrowing and dilations (aneurysms) in the wall of affected arteries. However, magnetic resonance angiography is less likely to confirm the diagnosis than angiography. Doctors may do Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies to help select the area for a muscle or nerve biopsy. 