Understanding Wegener's granulomatosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Wegener's granulomatosis

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

General

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (PGA), formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis, is an uncommon condition that causes inflammation of blood vessels, vasculitis. It affects blood vessels in the nose, throat, lungs, and kidney and causes granulomas in these organs. Symptoms may develop in an acute manner or throughout many years. What is causing this condition is unknown, and it is not contagious or inherited. Complications may include hearing loss, skin scarring, kidney damage, saddling nose, and formation of blood clots.

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Signs & symptoms

Symptoms may include pus-like drainage with crusts from the nose, stuffiness, sinus infections, nosebleeds, coughing, shortness of breath, fever, fatigue, numbness in the limbs, fingers, toes, weight loss, urine with blood, skin bruising, rashes and sores, eye redness and ear inflammation.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based upon findings from medical history and physical examination. Further evaluation may include blood tests for inflammation signs, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, anemia and kidney damage, as well as urine tests, imaging tests and biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment may include steroids, and other immunosuppressive medications to gain control over the donsitions. Then, medications such as rituximab are taken to prevent relapse.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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