Unusual evolution in Wegener's granulomatosis: recovery of pulmonary involvement while renal disease progressed to end-stage

ECMO Rescues Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure Related to GPA

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a subtype of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis with a wide range of clinical symptoms related to the systemic involvement of small blood vessels. The respiratory system is one of the most frequently involved, and life-threatening acute respiratory failure could occur due to diffusive alveolar hemorrhage and tracheal stenosis. When maximum mechanical ventilation is unable to maintain oxygenation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) should be considered as the final respiratory supportive method, if available. Here we present a 32-year-old male patient with acute respiratory failure (ARF) related to GPA, who was rescued by winning time for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Additionally, we reviewed more than 60 GPA-related ARF cases on multiple online databases, summarized the clinical manifestations of these patients, and concluded that ECMO plays an important role in further respiratory support for ARF patients with GPA and assists in accurate and timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, thus helping them recuperate.

A case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis causing hydroureter and hydronephrosis

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA, formerly known as Wegener) is a systemic vasculitis characterized by granulomatous involving upper and lower respiratory tract and can also cause necrotizing glomerulonephritis (Umemoto et al. 2012 and Takala et al. 2011). GPA is associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) against serine proteinase 3 (PR3) (Takala et al. 2011, Dufour et al. 2012, and Berthoux et al. 2011). This disease usually starts with involvement of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and also can involve kidney, eyes, skin, central and peripheral nervous systems, and gastrointestinal tract (Umemoto et al. 2012, Takala et al. 2011, and Berthoux et al. 2011). We describe a case of GPA that presented with abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast showed right sided moderate hydronephrosis and hydroureter, to the level of the right common iliac artery. There was also mural segmental thickening in common iliac artery which was thought to be the cause of the ureteral obstruction and hydronephrosis. Our case shows that mural segmental thickening in common iliac artery happened due to GPA and caused hydronephrosis. In addition, most of the cases with hydronephrosis due to GPA went through urology intervention such as stent placement but in our case hydronephrosis resolved with medical management.