Limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis in ulcerative colitis

Pulmonary manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease

Bronchopulmonary signs and symptoms are examples of variable extraintestinal manifestations of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These complications of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) seem to be underrecognized by both pulmonary physicians and gastroenterologists. The objective of the present review was to gather and summarize information on this particular matter, on the basis of available up-to-date literature. Tracheobronchial involvement is the most prevalent respiratory presentation, whereas IBD-related interstitial lung disease is less frequent. Latent and asymptomatic pulmonary involvement is not unusual. Differential diagnosis should always consider infections (mainly tuberculosis) and drug-induced lung pathology. The common link between intestinal disease and lung pathology is unknown, but many hypotheses have been proposed. It is speculated that environmental pollution, common immunological mechanisms and predisposing genetic factors may play a role.

PR3ANCA Related Cerebral Vasculitis in Ulcerative Colitis Presenting with Orbital Involvement: A Case Report with Review of Literature

PR3 ANCA is a classic marker of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). There have been several recent reports of increased prevalence of PR3ANCA in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, the clinical implication of which is not well defined. We are reporting a case of 27-year-old Caucasian male with 14-year history of UC presenting with unilateral proptosis, conjunctival congestion, and chemosis who developed acute hemiparesis within three days of hospital admission, followed by rapid neurological deterioration correlating with brain imaging findings. Serologically he had atypical PANCA with high PR3 antibody titer with a negative infectious workup. His cerebral angiogram was normal but the brain biopsy showed necrotizing vasculitis. He was diagnosed with PR3 ANCA mediated cerebral and orbital vasculitis associated with UC. Treatment was initiated with high dose steroids, plasmapheresis, and cyclophosphamide. He improved significantly with residual left hemiparesis.

Prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in patients with airways disease

BACKGROUND

Case reports and case series have suggested an association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and airways disease, but there are no data demonstrating a higher prevalence of IBD among patients with airways disease. Furthermore, no consistent radiological, pulmonary or pathological abnormalities have been demonstrated in patients with both conditions.

AIMS

To determine the prevalence of IBD among patients with airways disease and to evaluate clinical and pathophysiological features.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of outpatients with airways disease over a 10-year period.

RESULTS

IBD was four times more prevalent among patients with airways disease compared with published local IBD prevalence [Odds Ratio 4.26, 95% CI 1.48, 11.71, p=0.006; Crohn's disease OR 5.96, 95% CI 1.94, 18.31, p=0.002 and ulcerative colitis OR 4.21, 95% CI 1.71, 10.41, p=0.001]. IBD was more frequent in all types of airways disease except asthma; the association was particularly strong for conditions associated with productive cough. All except 1 patient had established IBD before the onset of respiratory symptoms. There were no obvious radiological differences between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease cases. There was a trend for a higher lymphocyte count (despite a tendency to lower blood lymphocyte count) but lower sputum neutrophil count in patients with Crohn's disease compared with ulcerative colitis. There were no significant differences in physiological measurements of pulmonary function between the two types of IBD.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support an association between airways disease and inflammatory bowel disease, particularly non-asthmatic airways disease with productive cough.

Pulmonary complications resembling Wegener's granulomatosis in ulcerative colitis with elevated proteinase-3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody

After a 17-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis was treated with granulocyte apheresis, chest imaging showed multiple nodular infiltrates, including one which seemed to have a cavity. Wegener's granulomatosis was suspected because proteinase-3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody levels were increased. Transbronchial lung biopsy specimen showed nonspecific findings. Chest imaging showed clearing of pulmonary infiltrates without any therapy or discontinuation of mesalazine, which is known to cause lung toxicity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of extra-intestinal pulmonary complications of ulcerative colitis with elevated proteinase-3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody resembling Wegener's granulomatosis and spontaneous improvement.

Pulmonary abnormalities in inflammatory bowel disease

Extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common clinical problem affecting up to half of all IBD patients; pulmonary disease, however, ranks among less common extraintestinal manifestations of IBD. Pulmonary disease in patients with IBD is most frequently drug induced due to treatment with sulfasalazine or mesalamine leading to eosinophilic pneumonia and fibrosing alveolitis or due to treatment with methotrexate leading to pneumonitis. Recently, various opportunistic infections have been shown to be a further important cause of pulmonary abnormalities in those IBD patients who are treated with immunosuppressants such as anti TNF-α monoclonal antibodies, methotrexate, azathioprine or calcineurin antagonists. In not drug related pulmonary disease a wide spectrum of disease entities ranging from small and large airway dysfunction to obstructive and interstitial lung disorders exist. Patients with lung disorders and inflammatory bowel disease should be evaluated for drug-induced lung disease and opportunistic infections prior to considering pulmonary disease as an extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease.

Uncommon causes of cough: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines

OBJECTIVES

To describe the uncommon causes of cough.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY

An English language literature search by MEDLINE citations from 1975 through 2004 was used to identify publications on uncommon pulmonary and nonpulmonary disorders in which cough was present as the major or presenting symptom in >50% of those persons affected by the uncommon diseases.

RESULTS

A substantial number of uncommon or rare pulmonary and nonpulmonary disorders were identified. The uncommon occurrence of these diseases made it difficult to develop a meaningful evidence-based guideline to the diagnosis and therapy of many of the uncommon causes of cough. As cough was the major or presenting symptom, it was usually initially attributed to common respiratory diseases (eg, asthma or bronchitis). As a result, a substantial time lag existed from the onset of cough to the diagnosis of the etiologic entity. Diagnostic tests limited to the respiratory system did not always provide clues to the diagnosis of uncommon causes of cough.

CONCLUSIONS

Cough is the major or presenting symptom in many uncommon pulmonary and nonpulmonary disorders. A strong index of suspicion is essential to consider and diagnose the uncommon causes of cough. The diagnosis and management of cough in patients with uncommon causes of cough is dependent on the underlying etiology.

Wegener's granulomatosis presenting as unilateral parotid enlargement

OBJECTIVE

Major salivary gland enlargement is a rare presenting symptom of Wegener's granulomatosis. The unrecognized occurrence of this entity can delay diagnosis, leading to increased morbidity from disease progression. This report discusses the clinical features and diagnostic testing of salivary gland enlargement secondary to Wegener's granulomatosis to differentiate it from other, more common, salivary gland diseases.

STUDY DESIGN

A case report of a single subject with unilateral parotid gland enlargement secondary to Wegener's granulomatosis.

METHODS

A review of the clinical course, diagnostic studies, and histopathology related to the presenting disease.

RESULTS

A 54-year-old male was evaluated for a 6-week history of progressive right parotid enlargement and pain unresponsive to antimicrobial therapy. Computed tomography scans showed diffuse, unilateral parotid swelling without enhancement and without a mass lesion or sialolith. Multiple open biopsies from the gland were necessary to demonstrate the presence of necrotizing granulomatous inflammation with vasculitis. Elevated antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody, cytoplasmic pattern (c-ANCA) titers confirmed Wegener's granulomatosis. Hemoptysis and acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis developed shortly after diagnosis but eventually resolved after the initiation of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide.

CONCLUSIONS

Unilateral parotid enlargement is a rare presentation of Wegener's granulomatosis. A high level of clinical suspicion should prompt biopsy and testing of c-ANCA when initial studies or empirical treatment fails to lead to a proper diagnosis. Early treatment may prevent the development of other serious systemic complications such as renal failure.

Echocardiographic features of atrial myocarditis with giant cells: A case report

We report a case of restrictive cardiomyopathy in which a distinct endothelial thickening of the atrial wall and pulmonary vein orifices was noted on transesophageal echocardiography. Echocardiographically guided endomyocardial biopsy of the thickening revealed an inflammatory infiltrate that was rich in giant cells and provided important clues about an underlying immune mechanism for the pathogenesis. Positive results from the antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody assay supported the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis. After immunosuppressive therapy, the endomyocardial thickening completely resolved, but the restrictive cardiomyopathy did not reverse.

Pulmonary manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease

Extraintestinal manifestations of both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) have been well described, although pulmonary findings are often overlooked. We summarize the experience of more than 400 cases of pulmonary manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These manifestations will be categorized by disease mechanism into drug-induced disease, anatomic disease, over-lap syndromes, autoimmune disease, physiologic consequences of IBD, pulmonary function test abnormalities, and nonspecific lung disease. We intend to provide the clinician with a practical working update on the spectrum of pulmonary dysfunction associated with IBD.

Noninfectious lung pathology in patients with Crohn's disease

Lung involvement in Crohn's disease is not well characterized. We reviewed our experience with 11 lung biopsies (seven wedge and four transbronchial) from patients with Crohn's disease to study this association further. Negative cultures, special stains for organisms Gomori-methenamine-silver [GMS], acid fast), and polymerase chain reaction for (four cases) were required for inclusion. The group included five women and six men with a mean age of 47 years (range 13-84 years). A diagnosis of Crohn's disease preceded the lung disease in nine patients. In two patients the diagnosis of Crohn's disease followed the diagnosis of their pulmonary disease 1 and 15 months later. Radiologically, eight patients had diffuse infiltrates, two had bilateral nodular infiltrates, and one had a mass. Chronic bronchiolitis with nonnecrotizing granulomatous inflammation was present in four patients, one of whom was taking mesalamine. Two patients had an acute bronchiolitis associated with a neutrophil-rich bronchopneumonia with suppuration and vague granulomatous features. One patient on mesalamine had cellular interstitial pneumonia with rare giant cells. Four patients demonstrated organizing pneumonia with focal granulomatous features, two of whom were taking mesalamine, and one of these two responded to infliximab (anti-tumor necrosis factor) monoclonal antibody therapy. Noninfectious pulmonary disease in patients with Crohn's disease has variable histologic appearances, including granulomatous inflammation and airway-centered disease resembling that seen in patients with ulcerative colitis. Drugs may contribute to pulmonary disease in some patients.

O pulmão na doença inflamatória do cólon: estudo experimental em ratos

Embora a colite ulcerativa seja conhecida desde 1875 e muitas sejam as manifestações extra-intestinais descritas nesta doença, só recentemente chamou-se a atenção para o envolvimento do aparelho respiratório. Severas complicações têm sido descritas em pacientes como: estenose traqueal inflamatória, bronquiolite com pneumonia, pneumonite intersticial, granulomatose de Wegener, bronquite crônica com bronquiectasia, nódulos necrobióticos, vasculites, fibrose e alveolites. O presente estudo visa reconhecer as alterações pulmonares, na fase aguda da doença inflamatória do cólon, induzida em ratos com ácido acético à 10% e comparar com controles normais. Foi possível constatar que 100% dos animais com colite apresentaram reação inflamatória pulmonar (p=0,0210) de intensidade moderada à severa (p=0,0340). Vasculite foi vista em 58,33% dos pulmões (p=0,0060) e em 3 animais detectou-se hemorragia focal, necrose e abscesso. Estes achados permitem atribuir uma forte associação entre a doença inflamatória do cólon e alterações do aparêlho respiratório, durante a fase aguda da doença, em ratos.

Sulfasalazine pulmonary toxicity in ulcerative colitis mimicking clinical features of Wegener's granulomatosis

The centrally accentuated antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody test (c-ANCA) is widely regarded as a sensitive and specific marker for Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). There are increasing reports, however, of false-positive c-ANCAs, usually in the setting of other vasculidities. We report a case of a 27-year-old man with ulcerative colitis who developed pulmonary symptoms, peripheral nodular lung infiltrates, and an elevated c-ANCA suggesting WG. Chest CT and open lung biopsy specimens were consistent with WG. The symptoms and pulmonary infiltrates resolved after discontinuation of sulfasalazine therapy. The c-ANCA remained elevated due to the occurrence of false-positive values in ulcerative colitis. We conclude sulfasalazine toxicity can mimic clinical aspects of WG and that c-ANCA testing should be interpreted with caution in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis with and without extrapulmonary involvement

Three cases of necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG) are reported. All 3 patients had pulmonary lesions; one of them had additional extrapulmonary lesions which were ophthalmologic (dacryoadenitis) and digestive (ulcerative colitis). This patient was followed for 5 years and developed several respiratory, ophthalmologic and digestive recurrences. In 2 cases the diagnosis of NSG had been initially overlooked and the authors emphasize the difficulties of this histologic diagnosis in terms of the differential diagnosis with other necrotic and granulomatous pulmonary diseases such as tuberculosis and Wegener's granulomatosis. They stress the possibility of extrapulmonary lesions in NSG and discuss the relationship between NSG and sarcoidosis.

[Respiratory manifestations of hemorrhagic rectocolitis]

The spectrum of respiratory diseases associated with ulcerative colitis. The respiratory diseases associated with ulcerative colitis have recently been recognized, and principally affect the bronchi. Both chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis may develop after many years, some of the patients having already undergone colectomy. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by cough and chronic mucopurulent sputum, and these symptoms may be exacerbated during acute flare-ups of ulcerative colitis. The bronchial lesions are inflammatory and can be reversed by corticosteroid therapy. Bronchiectasis produces similar symptoms, but has distinctive radiological features. Corticosteroids may sometimes reduce the symptoms, but they have no effect on the bronchial lesions. Salicylazosulfapyridine might be responsible for hypersensitivity lung diseases with eosinophilia, but the drug does not seem to be involved in the genesis of these bronchial manifestations. There have been occasional reports of other respiratory diseases associated with ulcerative colitis, including obliterative bronchiolitis, isolated and asymptomatic airflow obstruction, inflammatory tracheal stenosis, pulmonary vasculitis, pleurisy and pleuropericarditis, chronic pneumonia and interstitial fibrosis which may be diffuse or localized to the apices.

Bronchial disease in ulcerative colitis

Ten patients with ulcerative colitis, all of whom were non-smokers, presented with a productive cough. In six, the chest radiography was normal and cough was the only symptom; three of these patients had a minor obstructive ventilatory defect on testing. Four patients complained of exertional dyspnoea and had both an abnormal chest radiograph with bilateral pulmonary shadows and a mixed obstructive and restrictive ventilatory defect. Bronchial epithelial biopsies from four patients (two with and two without pulmonary shadows) revealed basal reserve cell hyperplasia, basement membrane thickening, and submucosal inflammation, changes more usually associated with cigarette smoking. Inhaled beclomethasone diproprionate relieved cough in seven patients. The occurrence of airway epithelial disease in association with ulcerative colitis raises the possibility of a systemic mechanism affecting both bronchial and colonic epithelium. It does not seem likely that sulphasalazine was the cause of the pulmonary syndrome in these subjects.

The ocular manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis. Fifteen years experience and review of the literature

Ocular manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis may occur secondary to contiguous granulomatous sinusitis or as a result of focal vasculitis. Contiguous granulomatous sinus disease causes nasolacrimal duct obstruction, proptosis and ocular muscle or optic nerve involvement. Focal vasculitis unrelated to contiguous upper respiratory tract disease is manifested by conjunctivitis, episcleritis, scleritis, corneoscleral ulceration, uveitis, and granulomatous vasculitis of the retina and optic nerve. A review of 29 cases of Wegener's granulomatosis and three cases of lymphomatoid granulomatosis studied over the past 15 years at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) disclosed single or multiple ocular manifestations of disease in 15 patients (47 per cent). The pattern of ocular disease, its relationship to systemic involvement, diagnostic methods and the response to therapy are discussed.