PERIARTERITIS NODOSA, WITH REPORT OF THREE CASES DIAGNOSED DURING LIFE*

PERIARTERITIS nodosa is a disseminated but focal inflammatory disease of the smaller arteries, of unknown origin. It is almost invariably fatal. The true incidence of the disease is unknown since there can be no proof of the diagnosis except by histologic examination of tissues obtained by biopsy or at autopsy. It occurs with equal frequency in both sexes and is seen in all ages. The literature contains reports of approximately 300 cases, the great majority of which have been diagnosed post mortem. The increasing num-ber of reports dealing with the subject in recent years indicates better recog-nition of the disease rather than an increased incidence. This report con-cerns three cases which were diagnosed during life and confirmed by biopsy, autopsy or both. Etiology. The disease is inflammatory in nature but its etiology is un-known. It is certain that no one microorganism or toxin is exclusively re-sponsible. It seems more likely that any one of a number of different agents may initiate or lead directly or indirectly to the disease. Rheumatic feve