[Polyarteritis nodosa with hepatitis and pancreatitis].

A 39-year-old man, known as a heavy drinker, presented with general malaise, abdominal pain, a history of icterus and progressive weight loss. He was found to have an acute hepatitis B infection and pancreatitis with pancreatic pseudocysts. A diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa was made on clinical grounds, and confirmed pathologically. The patient was treated with high-dose corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, antibiotics and drainage. However, the disease was progressive and the patient died. Pancreatitis in relation to polyarteritis nodosa, the association with hepatitis B infection, and new therapeutic possibilities are discussed.