Granulomatosis with polyangiitis - multisystem involvement

Case contributed by Michael Stewart
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Nasal congestion.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Male
This study is a stack
Axial
non-contrast
This study is a stack
Axial bone
window
This study is a stack
Coronal
bone window
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Info

Extensive paranasal sinus and mastoid air cell opacification.

Erosion of the medial walls of the maxillary sinuses and nasal turbinates.

Complete opacification of the mastoid air cells.

Frontal
Lateral
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4 cm ovoid cavitating lesion in the right middle lobe, with air-fluid level.

Lungs otherwise clear. 

Normal cardiomediastinal contour.

This study is a stack
Axial lung
window
This study is a stack
Axial C+
arterial phase
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Coronal C+
arterial phase
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Sagittal C+
arterial phase
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Solitary, irregular and thick walled cavitating lesion with air-fluid level in the right middle lobe, measuring 3 x 3.5 x 2.5 cm.

Extensive ill-defined soft tissue thickening around the right central bronchi and right main bronchus tracking up to the carina, causing luminal irregularity. 

No pulmonary collapse.

Lungs and pleural spaces are otherwise clear. Incidental azygos fissure. 

Filling defects in bilateral lower lobe segmental and subsegmental pulmonary arteries.

No evidence of right heart strain. 

No lymphadenopathy. 

No destructive osseous lesion identified.

Case Discussion

According to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria, two of the following are required for a diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis to be made:

  • positive biopsy for granulomatous vasculitis
  • urinary sediment with red blood cells 
  • abnormal chest radiograph 
  • oral or nasal inflammation 

The classic triad of organ involvement consists of:

  • lungs: involved in ~95% of cases
  • upper respiratory tract / sinuses: ~75-90%
  • kidneys: ~80%

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