Esophageal involvement in microscopic polyangiitis: a case report and review of literature

Intern Med. 2007;46(10):663-7. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.46.6115. Epub 2007 May 24.

Abstract

A 72-year-old man with cough and sputum showed esophageal wall thickening and pneumonia in chest computed tomography (CT) scan. Following endoscopy, we diagnosed reflux esophagitis and subscribed proton pump inhibitor. The esophageal lesion, however, was intractable. We diagnosed microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) because of vasculitis symptoms, cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (cANCA) in blood and no granulomatous change in the esophagus. We adopted pulse therapy of cyclophosphamide and oral prednisolone; the symptoms and esophageal lesion were markedly improved. We concluded that the esophageal lesion was an aspect of MPA. To our knowledge, this is the first report of esophageal involvement in MPA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / blood*
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Esophagitis / etiology*
  • Esophagitis / pathology*
  • Esophagitis / therapy
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / diagnosis
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Plasma Exchange
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / complications*
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / pathology*
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / therapy
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisolone