Vasculitis (Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis)

Rheumatology

Overview

Definition

Necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of small/medium vessels (formerly Wegener's).

Epidemiology

Rare, incidence ~10 per 1 million.

Etiology & Risk Factors

  • ANCA-associated autoimmunity

Clinical Symptoms

  • Upper respiratory (sinusitis, saddle nose)
  • Lower respiratory (hemoptysis, lung nodules)
  • Renal (hematuria)

Clinical Approach

Diagnosis

  • c-ANCA (PR3-ANCA) positive
  • Tissue biopsy (granulomas and vasculitis)

Management

  • High-dose Corticosteroids
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Rituximab

Complications

  • Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
  • Alveolar hemorrhage
  • Death if untreated