Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis in Untreated Graves' Disease: A Rare Event

Cureus. 2022 Sep 29;14(9):e29742. doi: 10.7759/cureus.29742. eCollection 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Antithyroid medications can cause antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis. However, no literature in English describes the coexistence of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and untreated Graves' disease. We present a 19-year-old female with thyroid storm and additional complaints of cough, hemoptysis, nasal discharges, polyarthralgia, and skin lesions. Imaging showed peri-hilar cavities and acute-on-chronic sinusitis. Elevated cytoplasmic pattern antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (C-ANCA) and anti-proteinase-3 antibody levels plus histopathology of the nasal and skin biopsies suggested GPA. Propranolol, methimazole, and potassium-iodide resolved the thyroid storm. Induction therapy (steroids, rituximab) for GPA provided relief of chronic symptoms stressing the importance of early recognition and swift initiation of treatment.

Keywords: anca associated vasculitis; coexistence; granulomatosis with polyangiitis (gpa); graves´disease; rituximab therapy; thyroid-storm.

Publication types

  • Case Reports