[Churg-Strauss syndrome in a 15-year old boy]

A 15 year-old boy was admitted in our hospital with the clinical signs of cardiopulmonary deterioration. His history showed bronchial asthma since 3 years. Furthermore he revealed signs of polyneuropathy, exanthema and a transitory pulmonary infiltration. Elevation of eosinophilic granulocytes and IgE confirmed the diagnosis of a Churg-Strauss syndrome. A rapid improvement of the symptoms was achieved by high-dose steroids and symptomatic therapy. The impaired systolic and diastolic myocardial function improved, but a cardiomyopathy with a shortening fraction below 25% persisted. The Churg-Strauss syndrome is a rare disease in childhood and is classified as a systemic granulomatosis of the vessels. The marked perimyocarditis with consecutive restrictive cardiomyopathy is a rare manifestation in childhood and adolescence. The prognosis of this disease is mainly influenced by the cardiac involvement.