Frequency, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcome of Gastrointestinal Disease in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis and Microscopic Polyangiitis

Management of granulomatosis with polyangiitis complicated by intestinal perforation and pancytopenia: a case report and literature review

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a systemic vasculitis. While the classic triad typically comprises otorhinolaryngologic, pulmonary, and renal manifestations, it is essential to recognize that granulomatosis with polyangiitis can affect any organ. Furthermore, reports have documented less common sites of involvement, such as the gastrointestinal tract. In this case-based review, we focus on a case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis presenting with intestinal perforation and the added challenge of concurrent pancytopenia.A 25-year-old female was diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis, with her clinical course progressing from joint pain to severe multi-organ involvement, including gastrointestinal complications. Treatment challenges emerged with the development of pancytopenia. While this may not directly result from granulomatosis with polyangiitis, it introduced an additional layer of complexity and delayed the induction of remission with immunosuppressants. Despite initial stabilization, an unexpected jejunal perforation occurred, requiring surgical intervention and subsequent postoperative care. The case underscores the complex nature of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and its potential complications. A literature search yielded discrete relevant cases in the context of our patient's intricate presentation, which has been summarized.We highlight the complexities in diagnosing and managing granulomatosis with polyangiitis-related complications, especially in uncommon presentations, and emphasize the importance of a personalized approach to patient care in these circumstances.

Clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of patients with gastrointestinal involvement in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Objective

This study aims to investigate clinical characteristics, potential risk factors, as well as long-term outcome in EGPA patients with GI involvement.

Methods

A total of 94 EGPA patients were included in this cohort study. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data, treatment, and outcome of 21 EGPA patients with GI involvement and compared them with other 73 EGPA patients without GI involvement. Multivariate logistic regression was used to find potential risk factors associated with GI involvement in EGPA patients.

Results

Compared with EGPA patients without GI involvement, EGPA patients with GI involvement had higher level of hs-CRP (65.1 (24.5-138.9) vs. 21.3 (5.7-39.1) mg/L, p=0.005), higher grades of Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS) (20 (13-29.5) vs. 12 (16-19), p=0.022), higher Five Factor Score (FFS) (1 (1-2) vs. 0 (0-1), p<0.001), and were more likely to have weight loss (66.7% vs. 38.4%, p=0.021) at baseline. In EGPA patients with GI involvement, the most common gastrointestinal symptoms were abdominal pain (90.5%) and diarrhea (42.9%). Weight loss was identified as a potential risk factor for GI involvement in EGPA patients (OR = 4.304, 95% CI 1.339-13.841). During follow-up, EGPA patients with GI involvement showed lower 1-year cumulative survival rate (75.2% vs. 100.0%, P <0.0001) and 3-year cumulative survival rate (67.7% vs. 100.0%, P<0.0001), lower long-term remission rate (33.3% vs. 86.3%, P<0.001), but higher 1-year cumulative relapse rate (19.2% vs. 3.8%, P=0.03) and 3-year cumulative relapse rate (54.6% vs. 13.1%, P<0.001) compared with patients without GI involvement.

Conclusion

EGPA patients with GI involvement had distinct features from those without GI involvement, including higher hs-CRP level, higher BVAS and FFS scores. EGPA patients with GI involvement showed lower cumulative survival rate, lower long-term remission rate and higher cumulative relapse rate compared with those without GI involvement.

Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage With Gastritis and Pancolitis as the Sole Presentation for Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis Flare

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), previously known as Wegener granulomatosis, is a rare small vessel vasculitis affecting mainly Whites. The prevalence of GPA in the United States is estimated to be 3 of 100,000 individuals. Classically, GPA affects upper airways, lungs, and kidneys, with the upper airways being the most common site. Occasionally, other organs affected by GPA include eyes, skin, joints, and the nervous system. The gastrointestinal system is rarely affected; however, some cases have been reported. In this case report, we present a patient with hemorrhagic gastritis and pancolitis consistent with GPA and discuss features from the literature of gastrointestinal manifestations in patients with GPA.

Imaging of intestinal vasculitis focusing on MR and CT enterography: a two-way street between radiologic findings and clinical data

Diagnosis of intestinal vasculitis is often challenging due to the non-specific clinical and imaging findings. Vasculitides with gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations are rare, but their diagnosis holds immense significance as late or missed recognition can result in high mortality rates. Given the resemblance of radiologic findings with some other entities, GI vasculitis is often overlooked on small bowel studies done using computed tomography/magnetic resonance enterography (CTE/MRE). Hereon, we reviewed radiologic findings of vasculitis with gastrointestinal involvement on CTE and MRE. The variety of findings on MRE/CTE depend upon the size of the involved vessels. Signs of intestinal ischemia, e.g., mural thickening, submucosal edema, mural hyperenhancement, and restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted imaging, are common in intestinal vasculitis. Involvement of the abdominal aorta and the major visceral arteries is presented as concentric mural thickening, transmural calcification, luminal stenosis, occlusion, aneurysmal changes, and collateral vessels. Such findings can be observed particularly in large- and medium-vessel vasculitis. The presence of extra-intestinal findings, including within the liver, kidneys, or spleen in the form of focal areas of infarction or heterogeneous enhancement due to microvascular involvement, can be another radiologic clue in diagnosis of vasculitis. The link between the clinical/laboratory findings and MRE/CTE abnormalities needs to be corresponded when it comes to the diagnosis of intestinal vasculitis.

Life-threatening gastrointestinal haemorrhage requiring surgical resection caused by SARS-CoV-2 induced ANCA associated vasculitis: A case report

Introduction and importance

SARS-CoV-2 infection has been linked to the de novo diagnosis of various autoimmune conditions as well as flares in pre-existing disease. With such high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the community, it is important to consider rare manifestations of autoimmune conditions when patients present with severe symptoms. Multi-specialty care is required to ensure optimal outcomes and prompt diagnosis.

Case presentation

A 28-year-old male presented to our tertiary referral centre with progressive debilitating polyarthritis, a purpuric rash on both flanks and aphthous ulcers 6 weeks after infection with SARS-CoV-2. On the second day of admission, he developed severe gastrointestinal haemorrhage requiring multiple blood transfusions. Attempted angioembolisation failed to identify a site of active haemorrhage. On failing trial of conservative management, the decision was made to perform an exploratory laparotomy. The small bowel was found to have an extensive vasculitis requiring resection to control haemorrhage. Autoimmune serology revealed c-ANCA positivity with anti-PR3 antibodies.

Clinical discussion

Patients presenting with acute vasculitic pathologies related to SARS-CoV-2 have the potential to rapidly progress to severe life-threatening gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Prompt surgical management is appropriate in selected cases.

Conclusion

In the current era of COVID-19, the differential diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 induced ANCA vasculitis must be considered for such cases with gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Compilation of similar cases and further studies are required to determine an optimal management pathway for these patients.

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SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with de novo autoimmune vasculitis.

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SARS-CoV-2 induced vasculitis can progress to severe intestinal bleeding.

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Surgical resection is paramount in refractory vasculitic gastrointestinal bleeding.

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Multi-speciality care is essential in cases of SARS-CoV-2 induced vasculitis.

ECCO Topical Review on Clinicopathological Spectrum and Differential Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

INTRODUCTION

Many diseases can imitate inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] clinically and pathologically. This review outlines the differential diagnosis of IBD and discusses morphological pointers and ancillary techniques that assist with the distinction between IBD and its mimics.

METHODS

European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] Topical Reviews are the result of an expert consensus. For this review, ECCO announced an open call to its members and formed three working groups [WGs] to study clinical aspects, pathological considerations, and the value of ancillary techniques. All WGs performed a systematic literature search.

RESULTS

Each WG produced a draft text and drew up provisional Current Practice Position [CPP] statements that highlighted the most important conclusions. Discussions and a preliminary voting round took place, with subsequent revision of CPP statements and text and a further meeting to agree on final statements.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians and pathologists encounter a wide variety of mimics of IBD, including infection, drug-induced disease, vascular disorders, diverticular disease, diversion proctocolitis, radiation damage, and immune disorders. Reliable distinction requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody seropositivity in young adults aged up to 35 years: kidney histopathological findings and patient outcomes

Objective

To investigate the clinical features, pathological renal findings, and outcomes in young adults with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) seropositivity.

Methods

Adults aged ≤35 years, with ANCA seropositivity, who underwent renal biopsy and received treatment comprising a combination of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide between January 2004 and May 2018, were retrospectively enrolled.

Results

Thirteen patients with ANCA seropositivity were included, all of whom presented with kidney disease at diagnosis: 10 (76.9%) with ANCA-associated pauci-immune glomerulonephritis, one with ANCA-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis with immune complex deposition, one with immunoglobulin A nephropathy, and one with membranous nephropathy. The median serum creatinine level was 183.2 μmol/l (range, 55.0–1024.0 μmol/l). Respiratory symptoms (9/13 [69.2%]) and nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms (5/13 [38.5%]) were the most common extrarenal manifestations. Remission was achieved in 10 (91%) of 11 ANCA-associated nephritis cases, and median interval from diagnosis to relapse was 30 months (range, 9–63 months). Cumulative relapse-free survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 100% and 88.9%, respectively. Overall, 1-year and 5-year renal survival rates were 80.8% and 58.9%, respectively.

Conclusion

Renal histopathology varied in young adults with ANCA seropositivity. Although relapse rates in this young adult population were generally low, long-term renal survival rates remain unsatisfactory.

Novel pediatric granulomatosis with polyangiitis with a marked bloody pericardial effusion and bloody stool: a case report

Background

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a syndrome of refractory vasculitis involving the upper respiratory tract, lungs, kidneys, and systemic small and medium-sized arteries that affects all age groups. No pediatric case with a bloody pericardial effusion resulting in cardiac tamponade and co-existing hematochezia has been reported.

Case presentation

A 14-year-old boy was referred for evaluation of prolonged fever, chest pain, and intermittent hematochezia. Diagnostic imaging showed a prominent pericardial effusion. Immediately after admission, his systolic blood pressure decreased. Emergent pericardiocentesis resulted in aspiration of a massive amount of bloody pericardial fluid. This was diagnosed as cardiac tamponade because his blood pressure recovered immediately after the drainage. The patient had an elevated serine proteinase 3-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA) level on serological examination. Head MRI showed thickening of nasal and sinusoidal mucosa and a cystic mass in the left sphenoid sinus. After ruling out malignancy based on the cytology of the effusion, chest MRI, and gallium scintigraphy, total colonoscopy showed multiple irregular-shaped aphthae from the right transverse colon to the cecum on the contralateral side of the mesenteric attachments. Biopsy specimens of aphthous lesions confirmed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. A diagnosis of GPA was made based on these findings, and oral prednisolone (PSL) and azathioprine were started. The hematochezia disappeared rapidly, and no recurrence of pericardial effusion was seen after PSL tapering was completed. The PR3-ANCA level decreased into the normal range immediately after the initial therapy.

Conclusions

Pericarditis is a common cardiac complication of GPA, but there have been no reports of resultant cardiac tamponade. This is the first case of pediatric GPA with cardiac and gastrointestinal complications preceding the common symptoms such as respiratory or renal symptoms. A case of pediatric GPA with hematochezia is also extremely rare. In conclusion, serial measurement of ANCA levels is important in patients with persistent fever and bloody stool, such as in inflammatory bowel disease, to make the diagnosis of a vasculitic syndrome.

A Ruptured Jejunal Arterial Aneurysm in a Young Woman Undergoing Chronic Hemodialysis Due to Myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis

A 21-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of massive intestinal bleeding. She started hemodialysis due to myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) at 18 years of age. Her ANCA titers remained stable; however, her C-reactive protein increased on 5 mg/day prednisolone before admission. Computed tomography angiography revealed a ruptured jejunal arterial aneurysm. Transcatheter arterial embolization, blood transfusion and the reinforcement of steroid therapy resolved her symptoms of AAV. Our case of a young patient with AAV and medium-sized arterial vasculitis is rare and emphasizes that the ANCA titer does not always rise, especially in patients with nonrenal vasculitis flare-ups.

Cyclophosphamide-associated enteritis presenting with severe protein-losing enteropathy in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: A case report

BACKGROUND

Although cyclophosphamide (CPA) is the key drug for the treatment of autoimmune diseases including vasculitides, it has some well-known adverse effects, such as myelosuppression, hemorrhagic cystitis, infertility, and infection. However, CPA-associated severe enteritis is a rare adverse effect, and only one case with a lethal clinical course has been reported. Therefore, the appropriate management of patients with CPA-associated severe enteritis is unclear.

CASE SUMMARY

We present the case of a 61-year-old woman diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis based on the presence of symptoms in ear, lung, and, kidney with positive myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. She received pulsed methylprednisolone followed by prednisolone 55 mg/d and intravenous CPA at a dose of 500 mg/mo. Ten days after the second course of intravenous CPA, she developed nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and was admitted to the hospital. Laboratory testing revealed hypoalbuminemia, suggesting protein-losing enteropathy. Computed tomography revealed wall thickening of the stomach, small intestine, and colon with contrast enhancement on the lumen side. Antibiotics and immunosuppressive therapy were not effective, and the patient’s enteritis did not improve for > 4 mo. Because her condition became seriously exhausted, corticosteroids were tapered and supportive therapies including intravenous hyperalimentation, replenishment of albumin and gamma globulin, plasma exchange, and infection control were continued. These supportive therapies improved her condition, and her enteritis gradually regressed. She was finally discharged 7 mo later.

CONCLUSION

Immediate discontinuation of CPA and intensive supportive therapy are crucial for the survival of patients with CPA-associated severe enteritis.

Gastrointestinal symptoms as first remarkable signs of ANCA-associated granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a case report and reviews

Background

Systemic vasculitis associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) have an extremely wide variety of symptoms, therefore the fast and proper diagnosis is difficult to establish even for experienced physicians. Gastrointestinal manifestations in ANCA-associated granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) may be present, however, severe, life-threatening complications (such as perforations) are rare.

Case presentation

A case of an 18-year-old male patient is presented, where gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea) were the first remarkable signs of GPA. The initial diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease delayed the administration of proper immunosuppressive therapy, which might have contributed to the rare and life-threatening complication of arterial duodenal bleeding with perforation. Our systematic review of the literature found only a few case reports where gastrointestinal symptoms were the first signs of GPA, however, this entity might be more frequent if physicians would think of this possibility more often.

Conclusions

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a rare but potential lethal complication of vasculitis. Consequently, we recommend investigating the patients diagnosed with GPA for gastrointestinal bleeding during the treatment.

Mononeuropathy multiplex associated with systemic vasculitis: A case report

BACKGROUND

Vasculitis, a systemic disorder with inflammation of blood vessel walls, can develop broad spectrum of signs and symptoms according to involvement of various organs, and therefore, early diagnosis of vasculitis is challenging. We herein describe a patient who developed a special case of systemic vasculitis with mononeuropathy multiplex, rectal perforation and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) presented with pulmonary embolism.

CASE SUMMARY

A 61-year-old woman visited hospital with complaints of myalgia and occasional fever. She was initially diagnosed as proctitis and treated with antibiotics, however, there was no improvement. In addition, she also complained right foot drop with hypesthesia, and left 2^nd and 3^rd finger tingling sensation. She underwent nerve conduction study for evaluation, and it revealed sensorimotor polyneuropathy in the left arm and bilateral legs. Subsequent sural nerve biopsy strongly suggested vasculitic neuropathy. Based on nerve biopsy and clinical manifestation, she was diagnosed with vasculitis and treated with immuno-suppressive therapy. During treatment, sudden rectal perforation and pulmonary thromboembolism occurred, and further laboratory study suggested probable concomitant APS. Emergency Hartmann operation was performed for rectal perforation, and anti-coagulation therapy was started for APS. After few cycles of immunosuppressive therapy, tingling sensation and weakness in her hand and foot had been partially recovered and vasculitis was considered to be stationary.

CONCLUSION

Vasculitis can be presented with a variety of signs and symptoms, therefore, clinicians should always consider the possibility of diagnosis.