Related Experiment Videos
Conjunctival ulceration in recurrent Wegener granulomatosis
Aaron C Fortney1, James Chodosh
1Department of Ophthalmology, Molecular Pathogenesis of Eye Infection Research Center, Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 608 Stanton L. Young Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK, U.S.A.
Cornea
|July 20, 2002
Summary
Conjunctival ulceration can signal Wegener granulomatosis (WG) recurrence. This rare sign may precede renewed pulmonary inflammation and positive C-ANCA antibodies in patients with a history of WG.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Wegener granulomatosis (WG), a form of systemic vasculitis, typically affects the respiratory tract and kidneys.
- Remission is common, but disease recurrence can occur, sometimes with subtle initial signs.
Observation:
- A 52-year-old male patient with a 21-year history of WG in remission presented with a year of ocular irritation.
- Examination revealed multiple palpebral conjunctival ulcerations in the left eye.
Findings:
- Biopsy of the conjunctival lesions showed inflammation consistent with WG.
- Within three months, recurrent pulmonary inflammation developed, and cytoplasmic-pattern antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (C-ANCA) became positive.
Implications:
- Conjunctival ulceration is a rare but significant manifestation of WG recurrence.
- Ocular mucosal lesions in WG patients warrant a thorough investigation for systemic disease activity.
- Early recognition of such signs can prompt timely intervention for recurrent WG.