Systemic vasculitis is generally believed to be an immune complex deposition in blood vessels. Gastrointestinal com­plications of vasculitis have been described as pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding and abnormal liver enzymes. Taken in isolation, the symptoms are difficult to distinguish from in­flammatory bowel disease, infectious colitis or ischemic coli­tis, although gastrointestinal vasculitis rarely presents without other [...]

Continue reading " Esophageal involvement in Wegener’s granulomatosis: DISCUSSION "

Initial laboratory studies revealed a white blood cell count of 10.7×109/L (4.4 to 11.0×109/L), hemoglobin level of 111 g/L (normocytic, normochromic) and platelet level of 599×109/L. Electrolytes and liver enzyme levels were normal and her creatinine level was 98 pmol/L. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 125 mm/h. Urinalysis showed many red blood cells with no [...]

Continue reading " Esophageal involvement in Wegener’s granulomatosis: part 2 "

Esophageal involvement in Wegener’s granulomatosis: A case report and review of the literature Wegener’s granulomatosis is characterized by agranulo- matous arteritis involving the upper and lower respi­ratory tracts, progressive glomerulonephritis and systemic symptoms attributable to small vessel vasculitis. Although multisystemic manifestations are frequent, involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is uncommon. A patient whose initial presentation [...]

Continue reading " Esophageal involvement in Wegener’s granulomatosis "