The eye is a common site of granulomatosis with polyangiitis. A collaborative study

Bilateral corneoscleritis with retrocorneal plaque as the initial presentation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis

BACKGROUND

To report a case of bilateral corneoscleritis with retrocorneal plaque lesion as the presenting sign of granulomatous polyangiitis (GPA).

CASE PRESENTATION

A 61-year-old female presented with bilateral extensive periphery corneoscleritis with retrocorneal plaque and prominent conjunctival injection. She suffered from progressively blurry vision and pain in both eyes for about 5 years, accompanied by sinusitis. No retinal or orbital abnormalities were noted on examination. A conjunctival and scleral biopsy was performed in the left eye, and the histopathological analysis was consistent with granulomatous inflammation. A full diagnostic workup revealed no obvious abnormal findings except positive cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (cANCA) and proteinase 3-specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA). The patient achieved disease remission with cyclophosphamide and corticosteroid and remained on oral and topical medications with no further loss of vision or discomfort.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a unique documented case of corneoscleritis with retrocorneal plaque lesion as the initial presenting feature of GPA. Our case illustrates that the initial ocular manifestations of GPA involving the cornea and sclera may have atypical lesions. Clinicians should cautiously evaluate the patients to enhance the early diagnosis and promptly initiate treatment measures to prevent vision loss.

A Unique Case of Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis in a Patient With Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-Positive Vasculitis Presenting With Ocular and Cardiac Manifestations

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAVs) can be divided into three distinct clinical entities. Of the three subgroups, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is the most common AAV. We present a 33-year-old Hispanic male with no past medical history who presented to the ER with acute-onset pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea. The patient had chronic sinusitis with occasional epistaxis. Initial lab work was significant for hematuria and proteinuria, as well as worsening acute kidney injury (AKI). A renal biopsy confirmed the presence of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN). Autoimmune panels were significant for PR3-ANCA positivity. The patient's clinical picture was most compatible with that of GPA, given the prominence of upper airway symptoms in the setting of new-onset renal failure with erythrocyturia and proteinuria, as well as pulmonary lesions. Cyclophosphamide-based treatment was initiated, in conjunction with glucocorticoids, mesna, and atovaquone. High suspicion for GPA with RPGN should be considered in the younger population who present with new-onset renal failure and pulmonary lesions to present irreversible kidney injury.

Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis in a Young Lady: Challenges in Achieving Remission

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a subtype of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) that commonly requires aggressive immunosuppression to achieve remission. We present a case of a young Malay lady with recurrent episodes of ANCA-positive nodular anterior scleritis who responded poorly to topical and systemic corticosteroids and relapsed while on methotrexate. A year later, she had epistaxis, and a sino-nasal biopsy confirmed granulomatous vasculitis. While receiving cyclophosphamide, she developed proptosis with optic neuropathy, which resolved with intravenous methylprednisolone. She eventually required rituximab as she was still having relapses on other immunosuppressants. Adequate and targeted treatment with immunomodulators is crucial to achieving disease remission in GPA.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, complicated by ocular adnexa lesion and vascular changes in retina and choroid (literature review with a clinical case)

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is manifested as ocular pathology in almost a third of patients, which can either be detected at the onset of the disease or occur in the late stages. The pathological process involves the orbit, sclera, episclera, cornea, conjunctiva, eyelids, nasolacrimal system, optic nerve, retina and choroid. Lesion of eye and its surrounding structures determines the severity of the pathological process, the patient’s quality of life and prognosis. The article presents a clinical case of a 38-year-old man with an unfavorable course of GPA, lesion to upper and lower respiratory tract, kidneys, and musculoskeletal system. The authors consider ocular manifestations in the context of a systemic disease. An ophthalmological examination of the patient revealed changes in sclera and choroid, which had not previously been described in detail in the literature. The patient underwent cataract phacoemulsification in the right eye with implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens. The dynamics of clinical manifestations of eye lesion in the near future is positive, but in the long term it remains doubtful due to pronounced changes in the orbit and adnexa of the eye against the background of ongoing small vessels vasculitis. Early consultation with an ophthalmologist and optical coherence tomography in patients with GPA are necessary at any stage of the disease. The clinical case is presented with consideration to the CARE 2021 recommendations.

Histopathologic clues to the etiopathogenesis of orbital inflammatory disease: Idiopathic, IgG4-related, neoplastic, autoimmune and beyond

Orbital inflammatory diseases represent a heterogenous group of idiopathic, autoimmune-related, and sometimes neoplastic conditions with overlapping clinical and histopathologic features, as well as variable levels of IgG4-positive plasma cells detected within tissue biopsies. Some histopathologic features, especially in an appropriate clinical context, may point to a specific diagnosis in a given patient. Diagnoses of non-specific orbital inflammation, orbital inflammation related to autoimmune diseases such as granulomatosis with polyangiitis and IgG4-related disease, lymphoma, and xanthogranulomatous diseases are discussed, contrasted and illustrated.

Ocular manifestations of granulomatosis with polyangiitis: report from a tertiary eye care center

PURPOSE

To report demographic characteristics and ophthalmological manifestations of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) in a tertiary eye care center in Turkey.

METHODS

Medical records of patients with GPA-related ocular manifestations evaluated between 2013 and 2023 were included. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients including nature of systemic involvement, ophthalmologic symptoms and signs, laboratory investigations and treatment modality were reviewed.

RESULTS

Twelve eyes of 10 patients (5 female/5 male) were included. The mean age was 57.2 ± 12.2 (35-71) years. Five (50%) patients were already diagnosed with GPA. Ocular involvement was the first manifestation of GPA in 3 patients. The remaining 2 patients had simultaneous systemic and ocular symptoms at presentation. Conjunctival hyperemia (9 eyes) and pain (7 eyes) were the most frequent presenting symptoms followed by blurred vision (3 eyes). The frequencies of ocular manifestations were as follows:episcleritis (3 eyes), isolated peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) (3 eyes), scleritis (3 eyes), simultaneous PUK and scleritis (2 eyes) and periorbital mass (1 eye).

CONCLUSION

Ophthalmological manifestations can be the initial findings in GPA. Since GPA can affect different structures of the eye, it sometimes might be challenging for ophthalmologists. Therefore, it is crucial for ophthalmologists to be well-informed about GPA-related ocular findings and to have a high index of suspicion for GPA. Although PUK associated with scleritis is highly suggestive for GPA, isolated cases of PUK or scleritis can be seen in GPA. Therefore, it is important to adopt a multidisciplinary approach, consider GPA in differential diagnosis, and benefit from accurate diagnostic tests.

Changes in Lipids in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Relates to Glucocorticoids and History of Hypertension

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is an ANCA-associated small-vessel vasculitis. Vessel wall inflammation induces multiple vascular damages, leading to accelerated atherosclerosis. Metabolic profile and cardiovascular risk are somewhat understood in GPA patients. Cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease (ASCVD) may represent a risk for outcomes. Our purpose is to evaluate ASCVD risk in GPA patients. Thirty-six patients received GPA diagnosis (T0) and were evaluated after 1 (T1) and 2 (T2) years follow-up. All patients were treated with high-dose glucocorticoid, one-year tapered, along with immunosuppressants. Total cholesterol significantly increased in T1 vs. T0 and T2. LDL exhibited the same trend, while triglycerides increased in both T1 and T2 vs. T0. No difference was found in HDL. A significant hsCRP decrease was detected at T1 and T2 vs. T0, but not between T2 and T1. Moreover, we found a significant reduction in ESR at T2 compared with T1 and T0 and at T1 compared to T0. Hypertensive patients presented a pronounced increase in lipids, while inflammation reduced slowly compared to normotensives. Our data suggest that the increase in cholesterol and LDL in T1 is a consequence of glucocorticoids. These data can be useful in the evaluation of both CV diseases and lipid metabolism, which are closely related to vessel inflammation.

Eyes on the Line: A Case of Ocular Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis

Antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a small vessel vasculitis with a positive ANCA in the serum. One of three diseases that fall under this category is granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), previously known as Wegener's granulomatosis. This case report presents a patient with an ocular manifestation of GPA, rendering a difficult diagnosis and multi-specialty approach to managing the disease.