Allergic granulomatosis (Churg-Strauss) associated with cutaneous manifestations: report of two cases

Tense blisters and haemorrhagic bullae as the first manifestation of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis poses a significant diagnostic challenge due to its varied clinical presentation. Here, we present a case of a 59-year-old female with a history of asthma and sinusitis, who manifested with an extremely rare presentation of drastic tense blisters and haemorrhagic bullae alongside purpuric lesions and peripheral neuropathy. Examinations revealed eosinophilia, positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, and characteristic pathological findings with small-vessel vasculitis in the purpura. Treatment with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide led to rapid improvement in peripheral eosinophilia, skin manifestations, and motor neuron deficits. Although rare, our case underscores that bullous skin lesions should be recognised as a potential cutaneous hallmark of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis to aid timely diagnosis, since prompt treatment initiation is crucial given the potential irreversible organ damage and poor prognosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Microscopic polyangiitis complicated by oculomotor nerve palsy

BACKGROUND

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is a necrotizing vasculitis of the small vessels. Among the nerve lesions of MPA, the incidence of multiple mononeuritis is high, but cranial nerve palsy is rarely reported.

CASE

A female patient with oculomotor nerve palsy associated with MPA.

OBSERVATIONS

The 68-year-old patient was admitted to our hospital with a high fever, numbness and weakness of the extremities, and muscle weakness. Multiple mononeuritis and purpura were observed. The urine was positive for occult blood and protein and the creatinine level was 1.2 mg/dL, indicating renal impairment. The levels of C-reactive protein (15.5 mg/dL) and myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titers (600 ELISA units) were elevated. MPA was diagnosed, and 45 mg/day prednisolone was initiated. On the fifth day after the initiation of treatment, the patient suddenly developed diplopia and blepharoptosis of the left eye. Anisocoria and decreased light reflex as well as limited supraduction, infraduction, and adduction were also observed in the eye. Left oculomotor nerve palsy was diagnosed. The palsy gradually improved with continued prednisolone treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

We encountered a rare case of MPA complicated by oculomotor nerve palsy.

Oculomotor Nerve Palsy following Cardiac Tamponade with Churg-Strauss Syndrome: A Case Report

A 57-year-old man with a history of more than 10 years of bronchial asthma and chronic sinusitis complained of double vision which developed 18 days after cardiac tamponade with eosinophil-rich fluid (eosinophils 30%). He had oculomotor nerve palsy, and a blood test revealed eosinophilia (12,700/mm(3)) and elevation of both C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor. He was diagnosed as having Churg-Strauss syndrome. His symptoms were relieved by corticosteroid therapy. Our case and previous cases in the literature revealed that oculomotor nerve palsy in Churg-Strauss syndrome is associated with pupil involvement and may be relieved by corticosteroid treatment.

Cutaneous manifestations of Churg-Strauss syndrome: report of two cases and review of the literature

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a small-vessel vasculitis characterized by severe asthma, lung/tissues infiltrates, extravascular necrotizing granulomas, and eosinophilia. Cutaneous involvement is common but may not be highly suggestive. Two typical cases of CSS with cutaneous involvement are herein reported, both females, 37 and 54 years old, presenting with lower limbs palpable purpura and urticarial lesions of the neck, respectively. A comprehensive review of the literature showed that cutaneous manifestations occurred in 40-81% of CSS patients and were the presenting sign in 14% of the patients. Moreover, a total of 68 cases of CSS with a detailed description of the cutaneous lesions have been published. In the majority of these patients, skin lesions allowed for the histopathological diagnosis of CSS. The most common clinical features were papulo-nodules with the histological picture of extravascular Churg-Strauss granuloma followed by purpuric and/or necrotic lesions in the lower limbs corresponding to small-vessel vasculitis with eosinophils. Less common lesions included urticarial lesions and livedo reticularis. Therefore, a high index of suspicion on skin lesions and the proper lesion selection for histological examination may be very important for early diagnosis of CSS. Clinical-pathological correlation is essential, as both clinical and histological features are not pathognomonic.

Urticarial lesions: if not urticaria, what else? The differential diagnosis of urticaria: part II. Systemic diseases

There are a number of systemic disorders that can manifest with urticarial skin lesions, including urticarial vasculitis, connective tissue diseases, hematologic diseases, and autoinflammatory syndromes. All of these conditions may enter into the differential diagnosis of ordinary urticaria. In contrast to urticaria, urticarial syndromes may manifest with skin lesions other than wheals, such as papules, necrosis, vesicles, and hemorrhages. Lesions may have a bilateral and symmetrical distribution; individual lesions have a long duration, and their resolution frequently leaves marks, such as hyperpigmentation or bruising. Moreover, systemic symptoms, such as fever, asthenia, and arthralgia, may be present. The most important differential diagnosis in this group is urticarial vasculitis, which is a small-vessel vasculitis with predominant cutaneous involvement. Systemic involvement in urticarial vasculitis affects multiple organs (mainly joints, the lungs, and the kidneys) and is more frequent and more severe in patients with hypocomplementemia. Clinicopathologic correlation is essential to establishing a correct diagnosis.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing the learning activity, participants should be able to distinguish urticarial lesions suggesting diagnoses other than common urticaria; assess patients with urticarial lesions, and suspect systemic diseases presenting with urticarial skin lesions.

Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy in Churg-Strauss syndrome

A 30-year-old man with bronchial asthma complained of horizontal diplopia. Partial oculomotor nerve palsy with restrictions of elevation and adduction, and mydriasis was observed in the left eye. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an infarct lesion in the territory of the left superior median mesencephalic branch of the posterior cerebral artery. Based on bronchial asthma, hypereosinophilia, mononeuropathy multiplex, pulmonary eosinophilia and positive perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody in the serum, the patient was diagnosed as having Churg-Strauss syndrome. This is the first case of oculomotor nerve palsy due to midbrain infarction associated with Churg-Strauss syndrome.

Collagenolytic (necrobiotic) granulomas: part II - the ‘red’ granulomas

A collagenolytic or necrobiotic non-infectious granuloma is one in which a granulomatous infiltrate develops around a central area of altered collagen and elastic fibers. The altered fibers lose their distinct boundaries and exhibit new staining patterns, becoming either more basophilic or eosinophilic. Within the area of altered collagen, there may be deposition of acellular substances such as mucin (blue) or fibrin (red), or there may be neutrophils with nuclear dust (blue), eosinophils (red), or flame figures (red). These color distinctions can be used as a simple algorithm for the diagnosis of collagenolytic granulomas, i.e. 'blue' granulomas vs. 'red' granulomas. Eight diagnoses are included within these two groupings, which are discussed in this two-part article. In the previously published first part, the clinical presentation, pathogenesis and histologic features of the 'blue' collagenolytic granulomas were discussed. These are the lesions of granuloma annulare, Wegener's granulomatosis, and rheumatoid vasculitis. In this second half of the series, the 'red' collagenolytic granulomas are discussed; these are the lesions of necrobiosis lipoidica, necrobiotic xanthogranuloma, rheumatoid nodules, Churg-Strauss syndrome, and eosinophilic cellulitis (Well's Syndrome).

The analysis of mRNA expression of cytokines from skin lesions in Churg-Strauss syndrome

We report our recent clinical experience with a patient suffering from Churg-Strauss syndrome and the results of our investigation into the mRNA expression of cytokines in the patient's lesions as well as in the frozen sections from a previous patient. In both cases, blood IgG was at a high level. Cytokine mRNA expression differed according to the degree of cellular infiltration. In the presence of marked infiltration, counteracting Th1 and Th2 cytokines were simultaneously detected; the former included IL-12 and IFN-gamma, and the latter, IL-6 and IL-10. The concurrence of both types of cytokine could be attributed to several factors. For example, IL-6 is involved through some mechanism in the formation of immune complexes by IgG, and IL-12 and IFN-gamma appeared to participate in the development of granuloma. These suppositions support the suggested immunological etiology of the disease. It is also inferred that the dominance of one of the two types of cytokines depends on the clinical phase of the disease.