Therapy of ocular complications in ANCA+ associated vasculitis

Presumed granulomatosis with polyangiitis presenting with anterior scleritis and inflammatory ciliary body granuloma

PURPOSE

To present a case of presumed limited granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) associated with anterior scleritis and ciliary body inflammatory granuloma which was treated with systemic rituximab (RTX), oral mycophenolate mofetil, and intravitreal (IVT) dexamethasone implant.

OBSERVATIONS

We report a patient presenting with sectoral scleritis and ciliary body granuloma in the left eye. The patient also had a nasal sinus granuloma which was biopsied three times with negative results for malignancy and fungal infections. The patient underwent a diagnostic vitrectomy, which was also negative for lymphoma, bacterial and fungal infections. Subsequently, intravenous methylprednisolone and oral methotrexate were started, but significant improvement was achieved only following initiation of intravenous RTX, oral mycophenolate mofetil, and IVT dexamethasone implant.

CONCLUSION

Therapeutic management of scleritis associated with limited GPA can be very challenging; early diagnosis can help to eliminate potential complications. Our result showed that RTX, mycophenolate mofetil, and IVT dexamethasone implant can be beneficial in treatment-resistant cases.

Nodular Scleritis as Isolated Symptom of IgG4-Related Disease, Mimicking as Conjunctival Lymphoma: A Case Report

Introduction

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic, immune-mediated disorder marked by the infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells and fibrosis in affected organs. This report presents a rare case of a patient with isolated nodular scleritis as an IgG4-RD (in a more precise way antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis [AAV] and IgG4-RD overlap syndrome).

Case Presentation

A 51-year-old woman was referred with the presumed diagnosis of conjunctival lymphoma due to a painful, salmon-colored lesion in the superior conjunctiva of the right eye. A biopsy of the conjunctiva showed a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate with multiple IgG4-positive cells (>200 cells/high power field), elevated IgG4/IgG ratio of 66% and fibrotic tissue without obvious vasculitis, confirming the diagnosis of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). ANCAs directly against myeloperoxidase were also positive, suggesting AAV. Given that the clinical signs align with both disease entities, it was concluded that the case fits in its restricted sense the newly described overlap syndrome. The scleritis was successfully treated with a tapering dose of corticosteroids and rituximab.

Conclusion

This case illustrates a rare presentation of scleritis as an IgG4-RD (in a more precise way AAV and IgG4-RD overlap syndrome) and demonstrates that rituximab and low dose of corticosteroids can lead to remission.

ANCA-associated vasculitis presenting with progressive binocular manifestations: a case report and literature review

This report primarily describes a rare case of an elderly male patient who initially presented with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) in the left eye and was ultimately diagnosed with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) -associated vasculitis involving the eyes, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys. However, due to irregular treatment, both eyes developed progressive ocular manifestations later. This article emphasizes the importance of actively screening for and treating underlying conditions in cases of CRAO. A comprehensive assessment of the patient's medical history, systemic condition, and ocular examination can aid in early diagnosis, slow disease progression, and reduce mortality.

Bilateral dacryoadenitis as the initial presentation of ANCA-associated vasculitis in a pediatric patient

A 14-year-old female presented with 2 weeks of progressive right eye pain, erythema, and proptosis. Examination demonstrated an enlarged palpable mass along the right superior lateral orbit and bilateral conjunctival petechiae. Of note, she was asymptomatic on the left side, and the petechiae were present only on the superior bulbar conjunctiva with eyelid eversion. Imaging demonstrated bilateral lacrimal gland enhancement. Testing was significant for elevated inflammatory markers, but otherwise negative workup. Biopsy of the right lacrimal gland demonstrated acute-on-chronic inflammation without evidence of lymphoproliferative disease. On repeat testing, myeloperoxidase antibody levels (MPO/p-ANCA) were elevated, indicative of an underlying immune-mediated vasculitis. This case illustrates a rare presentation of ANCA-associated vasculitis in a pediatric patient. It further demonstrates the phenomenon of initial negative serology and subsequent auto-antibody seroconversion in a patient with localized granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Current concepts in granulomatosis poly angiitis and the eye

Purpose of review

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), a multisystem disease with diverse systemic and protean ocular manifestations. Its pathophysiology, spectrum of the ocular manifestations, changing paradigms in the diagnosis of the disease, recent updates in the treatment patterns are clinically relevant to the treating clinician. They are described in this review.

Recent findings

Summary

The changing trends in the diagnosis, treatment can be adapted to real time clinical practice to provide the best quality of life to patients with GPA.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach in ANCA-Associated Glomerulonephritis: A Review on Management Strategies

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a destructive small vessel vasculitis affecting multiple organs. Renal involvement often leads to end-stage renal disease and increases mortality. Prompt diagnosis and initiation of adequate immunosuppressive therapy are critical for the best patient and kidney outcomes. However, considerable heterogeneity in symptoms and severity across the patients frequently hinder the diagnosis and management. The objective of this review is to emphasize the heterogeneity of the ANCA-associated vasculitis, facilitate the recognition and give guidance to the therapeutical possibilities. We present epidemiologic and risk factors, pathogenesis, and provide comprehensive clinical features of the disease. This article also focuses on the currently available therapeutic options and emerging cellular and molecular targets for the management of systemic and especially renal disease. We conducted extensive literature research published on PubMed and Google Scholar. We systematically reviewed, analyzed, and assembled databases, covering a broad spectrum of aspects of the disease. We compared and summarized the recommendations of two recent guidelines on ANCA-associated vasculitis. The incidence of ANCA-associated vasculitis, hence glomerulonephritis shows a steady increase. Familiarity with the presenting symptoms and laboratory abnormalities are necessary for rapid diagnosis. Early initiation of treatment is the key aspect for favorable patient and renal outcomes. A better understanding of the pathogenesis constantly leads to more targeted and therefore more efficient and less toxic treatment.