Wegener's granulomatosis: prospective clinical and therapeutic experience with 85 patients for 21 years

Sinonasal non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and Wegener's granulomatosis: a clinicopathological study

Reports of sinonasal non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, analysed with monoclonal antibodies, are scarce, and differentiation of these lymphomas from Wegener's granulomatosis can be difficult. In this study, we investigated histopathologically and immunohistologically 20 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, primary in the sinonasal region, and sinonasal biopsies from 11 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis. All T-cell lymphomas (n = 7) and plasmacytomas (n = 4) were stage I at clinical presentation, while all B-cell lymphomas (n = 9) presented at higher stages. T-cell lymphomas tended to be more frequent in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses; B-cell lymphomas more often presented in the nasopharynx. Remarkably, 1 B-cell lymphoma expressed MT1, and 1 T-cell lymphoma expressed L26 (CD 20). The follow-up of 2 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis was suggestive of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Retrospective immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the original histological diagnosis of non-specific inflammation had to be changed to T-cell lymphoma, pleomorphic small cell type. We conclude that a biopsy from the sinonasal region with a dense inflammatory infiltrate, consisting predominantly of T-lymphocytes, renders a diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis unlikely and is at least suspicious of T-cell lymphoma. Immunohistochemical analysis is warranted for this type of biopsy.

Prostatic involvement in Wegener's granulomatosis

Two cases of Wegener's granulomatosis presenting with prostatic involvement are described and compiled with the five previously detailed cases. Each of these patients presented with obstructive symptoms, proteinuria, leukocyturia, and hematuria. The urinary sediment normalized with treatment of the underlying granulomatous vasculitis. Wegener's granulomatosis is a rare cause of prostatic obstructive symptoms, but should be considered whenever the relatively unusual entity of granulomatous prostatitis is diagnosed. One patient was initially treated exclusively with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). He responded, but noted recurrence during the 15th month of treatment. We also report on this patient's antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) titers, which correlated with clinical assessment and predicted recurrence 2 months before elevation of the Westergren sedimentation rate (WSR) and clinical diagnosis.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies in a child with pauci-immune necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis

We report a case of pauci-immune, necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis in a 10-year-old child initially thought to have Henoch-Schönlein purpura. The diagnosis of a Wegener's granulomatosis-microscopic polyarteritis disorder was made on the basis of clinical presentation and a positive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA). This case illustrates the usefulness of the ANCA in the diagnosis and management of childhood vasculitides.

Diagnosis and management of systemic Wegener's granulomatosis presenting with anterior ocular inflammatory disease

The ocular and systemic features of 10 patients whose Wegener's granulomatosis presented with corneoscleral inflammatory disease are described. Marginal corneal infiltrates were seen in all patients with anterior scleritis and were a valuable sign of disease activity. Nine out of 10 patients had symptoms of systemic vasculitis on presentation; seven had renal impairment; three had chest x-ray abnormalities. Autoantibodies against neutrophil cytoplasmic determinants (ANCA) were present in all cases. In seven patients the scleritis responded well to pulsed immunosuppressive therapy followed by long term oral steroids and cyclophosphamide. Oral steroid therapy alone failed to control severe disease. Corneoscleral disease was not a cause of visual loss. It is important to realise that inflammatory corneoscleral disease may be the presenting feature of a severe systemic vasculitis.

Unusual presentation of recurrent Wegener's granulomatosis

A 65-year-old woman presented with recurrent Wegener's granulomatosis following two years of immunosuppressive therapy and three years of complete remission. At her initial presentation, she had a characteristic x-ray picture showing multiple nodules with total resolution of these findings at three months. Five years later, at the time of clinical relapse, her chest x-ray film showed bilateral diffuse infiltrative disease. This change in radiologic presentation upon relapse of Wegener's has not previously been reported. Other unusual features include diffuse infiltrates as the pulmonary presentation and the long interval between cessation of therapy and relapse. We review the radiologic manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis.

Immunosuppressive drugs in immune and inflammatory ocular disease

Advances in immunology, particularly ocular immunology, have been accompanied by the emergence of safer, more specific immunosuppressive drugs, notably, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclosporine A, bromocriptine, dapsone, and colchicine. These drugs have become an important, and often essential, part of the ophthalmologist's armamentarium against inflammatory and immune-mediated ocular diseases. In order to better acquaint the ophthalmologist with the properties of the most commonly used immunosuppressive drugs, we review the literature and relate our own experience with these agents.

Hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy in the limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis

A patient with the limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis is reported. The case is unusual because of hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, severe ulceration of the respiratory and digestive tracts, and the rapidly fatal outcome.

Predominance of IgG1 and IgG4 subclasses of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis and clinically related disorders

In view of the supposed hypersensitivity, the elevated levels of IgE, and the occurrence of eosinophilia reported in Wegener's granulomatosis and related conditions, we studied the IgG subclass distribution of ANCA directed against a 29-kD serine protease and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in 41 untreated ANCA-positive patients with several forms of active vasculitis and/or glomerulonephritis. We found that both 29-kD ANCA and MPO ANCA were predominantly of the IgG1 and IgG4 subclass in all groups of patients. The additional presence of IgG3 subclass was associated with renal involvement. We compared the subclass distribution of ANCA with that of total IgG subclass levels, and with the IgG subclass distribution of antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) as a persistent endogenous antigen and antibodies to tetanus toxoid (TT) as an exogenous recall antigen. Total levels of IgG4 were elevated in the majority of the patients together with elevated IgG1 levels. Antibodies to CMV and TT, however, had the same subclass distribution as found in normals and did not show enhanced IgG4 expression. ANCA belong predominantly to the IgG1 and IgG4 subclass, which may suggest that the production of ANCA is related to recurrent exposition to the antigen(s) involved, possibly as part of a hypersensitivity reaction.

Late-onset congenital syphilis. A retrospective look at University of Iowa Hospital admissions

A retrospective review of 766,742 hospital admissions was performed between 1966 and 1986 at the University of Iowa Hospital for the diagnosis of congenital syphilis. Although 88 individuals were identified with this diagnosis, adequate treatment was documented in only 33 (38%). Thirty-nine of the 88 individuals identified were initially seen for visual complaints by the ophthalmology department. We recommend that all physicians increase their index of suspicion for this disease, and institute appropriate therapy and follow-up if late congenital syphilis is diagnosed.

Anti-idiotypes against anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antigen autoantibodies in normal human polyspecific IgG for therapeutic use and in the remission sera of patients with systemic vasculitis

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antigen (ANCA) activity was inhibited in 15 out of 21 sera from patients with acute systemic vasculitis following incubation with normal polyspecific IgG for therapeutic use (IVIg). ANCA antibodies reacted with IVIg through idiotypic-anti-idiotypic interactions, as shown in competitive binding assays using F(ab')2 fragments from IVIg and affinity chromatography of ANCA IgG on Sepharose-bound F(ab')2 fragments from IVIg. Co-incubation of sera from patients with acute systemic vasculitis with paired autologous remission stage sera also resulted in inhibition of ANCA activity in acute sera. Remission sera contain IgM and IgG capable of interacting with beta and or alpha idiotypes of ANCA IgG from acute sera. Anti-idiotypic IgM may account for the lack of expression of ANCA activity in whole serum from patients in remission from systemic vasculitis, which were found to contain high titres of ANCA IgG. These observations suggest that remission of systemic vasculitis is associated with the generation of anti-idiotypes against autoantibodies rather than the suppression of production of ANCA autoantibodies. IVIg may modulate the activity of systemic vasculitis in vivo.

Wegener's granulomatosis in two siblings: a family study

Two brothers with Wegener's granulomatosis are presented. HLA status and associated genes in the brothers and the immediate family are explored. No specific association could be found with tissue types within the family.

Bronchoalveolar lavage analysis in Wegener's granulomatosis. A method to study disease pathogenesis

A prospective analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 13 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), 20 disease control subjects with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and 24 normal control subjects was conducted to (1) evaluate the quality of the alveolar inflammatory response associated with active WG; (2) determine whether antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) is present in alveolar fluid and produced in the lungs of patients with WG; and (3) determine whether inhaled particles or infectious agents may play an etiologic role in WG. BAL in untreated active WG had a marked increase in neutrophils (mean = 42% of total WBC count), and usually in eosinophils (mean = 4%) compared with that in normal control subjects (1.6% neutrophils, 0% eosinophils), and untreated WG in remission (5.9% neutrophils, 0% eosinophils). Disease control subjects with IPF, a process known to be associated with neutrophilic alveolitis, had an increased population of neutrophils (15.4%) and eosinophils (2.7%) in BAL. Leukocyte remnants, as well as intact leukocytes, could be identified within BAL macrophages in the patients with WG and IPF, and rarely in the normal control subjects. Normal subjects and control patients with IPF were all negative for ANCA in serum, whereas ANCA was found in serum and BAL in all patients with active WG who had generalized disease. Protein analysis of BAL revealed a disproportionate increase in the IgG to albumin ration compared with serum values (IgG index) in patients with active untreated disease. The increase in the IgG index suggests that IgG with ANCA reactivity is produced by pulmonary lymphoid tissue. An infectious agent in BAL was not identified by any of the techniques applied in this study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An unusual case of wegener's granulomatosis

A 58-year-old male developed extensive multisystem Wegener's granulomatosis eight years after pneumonectomy for a large solitary granuloma of the lung. Follow up following pneumonectomy had indicated a very prolonged disease free interval.

Immunoglobulin G antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies are produced in the respiratory tract of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a small-vessel vasculitis of unknown etiology that usually involves the upper and lower respiratory tract and the kidneys. Recently, an association has been made between the presence of serum antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and WG. Because WG frequently involves the lung, we sought to evaluate bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids obtained from 14 patients with WG for the presence of ANCA. Immunoglobulin (Ig) G ANCA was found in the BAL with the same staining patterns as observed in the serum. Patients with active disease had the highest serum and BAL IgG ANCA titers. IgA or IgM ANCA was not detected in the serum or BAL of these patients. Protein analysis of BAL fluid revealed that patients with active, untreated WG had approximately a fourfold elevation in total protein (41.3 versus 10.5 mg/dl), with a disproportionately greater increase in the ratio of IgG to albumin (BAL IgG index = 1.49, normal = 0.74; p = 0.027). The increase of the IgG index in patients with active WG suggests that local production of IgG ANCA occurs in the lungs.

Wegener's granulomatosis presenting as temporal arteritis

A granulomatous giant cell vasculitis of the temporal artery was observed in a biopsy specimen from a patient with corresponding clinical symptoms. Within weeks, the new onset of pulmonary infiltrates and renal failure prompted biopsy of the patient's kidney. A necrotizing glomerulonephritis, compatible with a diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis, was present. Vasculitis of the temporal artery may be a feature of Wegener's granulomatosis.

Pneumothorax in a patient with Wegener's granulomatosis during treatment with immunosuppressive agents

We present the case of a 16-year-old woman with Wegener's granulomatosis, who developed a pneumothorax while receiving treatment with cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoids. The lung was re-expanded by tube drainage, and the patient recovered completely while the immunosuppressive treatment was continued in combination with sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim. A possible role for this antimicrobial drug in the treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis is briefly discussed.

Diagnostic usefulness of nasal biopsy in Wegener's granulomatosis

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) frequently involves the upper respiratory tract, and nasal mucosal biopsy is often initially used to establish the diagnosis. To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of nasal biopsy in WG, we reviewed the pathologic features of 30 such biopsy specimens from 17 patients with well-documented WG. Active vasculitis (granulomatous or nongranulomatous) was identified in seven of the patients (41%). The presence of extravascular foci of necrosis in lung biopsy samples has recently received attention as a characteristic feature of WG. Similar foci were found in the nasal samples from six of our patients, although vasculitis was absent in the samples from two of them. If extravascular foci of necrosis are regarded as characteristic or even diagnostic of WG, two additional patients in our series could be regarded as having had diagnostic nasal biopsies (nine of 17 patients). Nasal biopsy could thus be considered as diagnostic in 53% of the patients. Samples larger than 5 mm in greatest dimension were more likely to contain diagnostic features than were smaller samples (P = 0.002).

Wegener's granulomatosis presenting as diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage

A 35-year-old woman experienced diffuse intraalveolar haemorrhage with respiratory distress and acute renal failure. Renal histology and evolution confirmed Wegener's granulomatosis. Early use of immunosuppressive drugs allowed weaning from mechanical ventilation and temporary improvement of the renal failure. A review of the literature emphasizes the rarity of alveolar hemorrhage as an initial symptom of Wegener's granulomatosis and the necessity of aggressive management.

[Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies: a new diagnostic tool]

Two main types of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) have been recognized by indirect immunofluorescence. ANCA-D are defined by diffuse fluorescence and are directed against proteinase 3. They are highly specific for Wegener's granulomatosis, and their titre varies with disease activity. ANCA-P are responsible for perinuclear fluorescence and are principally found in other types of vasculitis and in idiopathic crescentic glomerulonephritis. In patients with suggestive clinical signs, ANCA are of considerable diagnostic value when specific histology is difficult to obtain. Therapeutic monitoring and prevention of Wegener's disease relapses could rely on regular measurements of ANCA titres. Moreover, studies on the pathogenetic role of ANCA may transform current physiopathological concepts and nosology of vasculitis.

Pulmonary complications of combination therapy with cyclophosphamide and prednisone

Oral cyclophosphamide and prednisone are standard treatment for some neoplasms and necrotizing systemic vasculitis and are advocated with increasing frequency for idiopathic interstitial lung disease. During a 15-month period, we observed four cases of acute respiratory failure from Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients treated with oral cyclophosphamide and prednisone. One patient each had polyarteritis nodosa, Wegener's granulomatosis, bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia with red blood cell aplasia. Hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin level less than 3.0 g/dl) and daily therapy were associated with increased risk for development of PCP (p less than 0.05). None of the patients had leukopenia (less than 3,500/cu mm) or neutropenia (less than 1,000/cumm) at diagnosis. All were negative for the human immunodeficiency virus. Patients receiving oral cyclophosphamide and prednisone may be at higher or increasing risk for PCP. A high index of suspicion and aggressive evaluation for opportunistic infection are needed in these patients; consideration for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis and development of more quantitative measures of immunosuppression are needed.

Pleural effusions in Wegener's granulomatosis: report of five patients and a brief review of the literature

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is an uncommon disease of unknown aetiology which is characterised histologically by a necrotising granulomatous angiitis. The airway, lungs and the kidneys are predominantly involved, but the disease has been documented to affect virtually every organ system. The clinical course is variable and ranges from a short, rapidly fatal illness at one end of the spectrum to indolent involvement compatible with several years of survival at the other. A majority of patients have pulmonary disease evidenced clinically by cough, sputum production and haemoptysis and radiologically by infiltrates, nodules and cavitation. Pleural effusions, however, are rare. No detailed information regarding the nature and clinical behaviour of these effusions is available and only a recent French study has listed the nature of the fluid in passing. We have observed pleural effusions in five patients with WG who are the basis of this report.

Splenic necrosis in Wegener's granulomatosis

The CT appearance of asymptomatic splenic necrosis in a 11-year-old girl with Wegener's granulomatosis is presented. Sonography showed splenic inhomogeneity with patency of the splenic artery and vein. Follow-up CT showed lobulation and shrinkage of the spleen with return to a normal attenuation.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage in Wegener's granulomatosis, with negative four vessel angiography

Two patients with Wegener's granulomatosis and spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage are presented in whom four vessel angiograms were normal. The diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis should be considered in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage and negative four vessel angiography. The presence of antibodies to a neutrophil cytoplasmic antigen may be of diagnostic value.

In vitro production of anti-neutrophilocyte-cytoplasm-antibodies (ANCA) by Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-cell lines in Wegener's granulomatosis

The frequent detection of anti-neutrophilocyte-cytoplasm-antibodies (ANCA) in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) led to the supposition that this disease might be of autoimmune nature. For some authors assume that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of human B-lymphocytes besides polyclonal activation could reveal the cryptic immune status against different autoantigens in patients with autoimmune diseases we investigated EBV-transformed B-lymphocytes from patients with Sjögren's syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, WG and healthy blood donors. Two stable B-cell lines (Ho3, We1) could be established. Inhibition experiments showed that antibodies produced by transformed B-lymphocytes and serum ANCA (C-ANCA type) of 10 WG patients recognized the identical antigen. Stimulation of one clone (Ho3) with interleukin 6 (IL-6) led to a switch from IgM to IgG production. Antibodies produced by this clone also stained glomeruli of human frozen kidney sections. Western blot analysis using immunoaffinity purified antigen prepared from human granulocytes revealed a reaction with a protein of approx. 29 kD MW. Our data underscore some new aspects concerning the direct pathogenicity of C-ANCA confirming the hypothesis that the autoimmune B-cell repertoire in WG not only reflects a polyclonal B-cell activation but is shaped by antigen driven responses.

Wegener's granulomatosis in childhood

The authors reviewed the medical histories and radiological examinations of five pediatric patients with a histologic diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) seen over a six year period in whom a total of 22 thoracic CT scans were performed. Involvement of both the upper and lower respiratory tracts was seen in all patients at presentation. One patient had subglottic stenosis necessitating tracheotomy. Pulmonary hemorrhage occurred in three patients at initial diagnosis. Classic cavitary lung nodules were seen in two patients--one at initial presentation, the other at relapse. The plain radiographic lower respiratory tract manifestations of pediatric WG were protean both at initial presentation and during follow up. Similarly, disease expression was highly variable on thoracic CT examinations but, overall, multifocal parenchymal infiltrates with or without small peripheral nodules were the commonest thoracic CT manifestations. As a consequence of cytotoxic and corticosteroid therapy the long-term prognosis of WG has improved considerably in recent years. Knowledge of the varied patterns of the primary disease and potential for iatrogenic complications are necessary for successful radiologic assessment of pediatric patients with WG.

Clinical records: a case report of Wegener's granulomatosis limited to the ear

A 12-year-old girl had a 1-week history of left otalgia with hearing loss in May, 1989. Audiometry showed a conductive hearing loss of 60 dB. The conventional medical treatment for acute otitis media was initiated, but the symptoms and signs failed to respond this treatment. Four weeks after initial presentation, a diagnostic mastoidectomy was performed. The histological findings of the granulomatous tissue in the mastoid cavity showed nonspecific granulomatous inflammation, infiltrated with multinucleated giant cells. Initial laboratory studies revealed elevated ESR, positive CRP and RA, inverted A/G ratio, and increased Ig level. She had no other sites of involvement, such as the nose, paranasal sinus, pharynx, and larynx, and also no pulmonary or renal involvement was indicated. The diagnosis of a limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis was made on the above clinical and histological findings and laboratory examinations. The patient was then treated with cyclophosphamide, 80 mg/day (2 mg/kg) and prednisolone, 60 mg/day. After 1 week her symptoms and general condition were dramatically improved. Out-patient follow-up 1 year later showed her hearing level was improved to 28 dB, and she continues to do well without evidence of recurrence of the disease.

Azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and chlorambucil

Immunosuppressive agents serve a major role in the management of once-fatal conditions such as the systemic necrotizing vasculitides, but they are also being used in more common, chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. The drugs are all capable of reducing cell division but they differ in their modes of action. This is in keeping with their differing rates of action, and different indications. Azathioprine is a valuable alternative to slow-acting antirheumatic drugs in older patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Cyclophosphamide has transformed the outlook of many forms of vasculitis. Chlorambucil is particularly useful in improving the prognosis for children with amyloidosis secondary to juvenile chronic arthritis. We have tried to highlight the role of these drugs in a number of rheumatic diseases. We have emphasized their clinical applications, with some laboratory evidence for their effects. The major side-effects are reviewed. Finally, we have discussed their possible mechanisms of action.

Gingival manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis

Localized Wegener's granulomatosis is characterized by necrotizing granulomatous disease affecting the upper and lower respiratory tracts, mucosa, and skin. Without treatment, disseminated necrotizing vasculitis and focal necrotizing glomerulonephritis usually follow. Although oral lesions are relatively common, they have been infrequently described and have rarely been reported as the sole manifestation of this disease. In this report, we present two cases of early Wegener's granulomatosis which featured hyperplastic gingival lesions as the initial presenting lesion. Clinical findings and histological evaluation of tissue obtained from the gingival lesion following incisional and excisional biopsies supported the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis. These cases illustrate that less-frequently occurring entities should be considered in the differential diagnosis of localized gingival lesions which fail to respond to conventional therapy.

Infectious complications in the management of systemic vasculitis and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis

Patients with microscopic polyarteritis and Wegener's granulomatosis are often elderly. At present 10-20% of these patients will die from infection in the first three months of immunosuppressive treatment. Therapeutic strategies initially must maximize anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects and minimize the later in the longer term. Regimens with pulse MP combined with low dose prednisolone (ie 20 mg/day), together with oral or pulsed cyclophosphamide in the first weeks followed by maintenance treatment with azathioprine and prednisolone are suggested--with PE reserved for those requiring dialysis, lung haemorrhage, or uncontrolled vasculitis.

Treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis with intermittent high-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide

PURPOSE

Concerns regarding the long-term toxicity of daily cyclophosphamide (CP) therapy for the systemic vasculitides have led us to evaluate alternative approaches to treatment in an attempt to achieve comparable efficacy with less toxicity. This study sought to determine the efficacy, toxicity, and immunologic effects of glucocorticoids (GC) and intermittent high-dose intravenous CP ("pulse" CP) in the treatment of 14 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The diagnosis of active WG was supported by a typical clinical presentation and histopathologic findings of vasculitis, granulomatous inflammation, and tissue necrosis. GC treatment was initially provided on a daily basis and later tapered to an alternate-day schedule if vasculitis remained inactive. Pulse CP treatment was initially administered once a month for 6 months. If after 6 months remission had been attained and GC therapy had been discontinued, then pulse CP treatment was given at less frequent intervals thereafter. Treatment and evaluation were provided for participants as inpatients in a clinical research center (National Institutes of Health).

RESULTS

Thirteen of 14 patients (93%) initially experienced unequivocal improvement with pulse CP therapy, and seven of 14 (50%) achieved remission within 4 months. However, treatment was associated with significant toxicity in two patients and later relapses in nine patients, so that a total of 79% either failed to achieve sustained remission or were unable to continue therapy. Three of 14 (21%) patients have achieved sustained remissions with the pulse CP protocol and one additional patient (who had a limited exacerbation of WG) continues to receive that therapy after 14 to 22 months (mean 17 months).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of pulse CP and GC therapy in 14 patients with WG was associated with a high initial response rate. However, failure to respond initially to treatment, to sustain improvement, or to tolerate continued treatment was noted in 79% of patients within a period of 1 to 22 months. These observations indicate that this particular pulse CP protocol does not achieve a high degree of lasting efficacy.

Severe granulomatous giant cell myocarditis in Wegener's granulomatosis

A 28-year-old male patient suffering from Wegener's granulomatosis died suddenly with signs of cardiac failure after clinical symptoms had basically subsided under chemotherapy. Autopsy revealed pulmonary granulomata, necrotizing vasculitis of the lungs and kidneys, focal and segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis, and diffuse granulomatous and necrotizing giant cell myocarditis. Histological confirmation of inflammation of the heart in Wegener's disease has rarely been reported. Although cardiac involvement in Wegener's granulomatosis sometimes is suspected, it is usually thought to have no major impact on the course of the disease. By its dramatic clinical and morphologic presentation this case illustrates that the heart, in addition to the lungs and kidneys, may determine the outcome of the idiopathic granulomatous vasculitis of Wegener.

The American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria for the classification of Wegener's granulomatosis

Criteria for the classification of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) were developed by comparing 85 patients who had this disease with 722 control patients with other forms of vasculitis. For the traditional format classification, 4 criteria were selected: abnormal urinary sediment (red cell casts or greater than 5 red blood cells per high power field), abnormal findings on chest radiograph (nodules, cavities, or fixed infiltrates), oral ulcers or nasal discharge, and granulomatous inflammation on biopsy. The presence of 2 or more of these 4 criteria was associated with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 92.0%. A classification tree was also constructed with 5 criteria being selected. These criteria were the same as for the traditional format, but included hemoptysis. The classification tree was associated with a sensitivity of 87.1% and a specificity of 93.6%. We describe criteria which distinguish patients with WG from patients with other forms of vasculitis with a high level of sensitivity and specificity. This distinction is important because WG requires cyclophosphamide therapy, whereas many other forms of vasculitis can be treated with corticosteroids alone.