Adolescent with severe granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a case report

Pan Afr Med J. 2021 Mar 18:38:285. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.285.26893. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare vasculitis among adolescents. Its pulmonary manifestations may mimic tuberculosis. We report the case of a 16-years-old female patient with multiple excavated lung nodules revealed by a chronic cough, hemoptysis, epistaxis and weight loss. The diagnosis of GPA was achieved due to systemic pulmonary, ENT and renal involvement, the positivity of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody directed against proteinase 3 (C-ANCA) and bronchial and nasal biopsies showing granulomatous inflammation with a dense perivascular infiltrate destroying the vessel wall. Bolus of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants reversed her symptoms. Although GPA is a rare disease in teenagers, it should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis in adolescents presenting with excavated pulmonary nodules.

Keywords: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis; Wegener’s granulomatosis; antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody -associated vasculitis; case report; pediatric GPA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / immunology*
  • Biopsy
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage*
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / diagnosis*
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / drug therapy
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunosuppressive Agents