[A case of Wegener's granulomatosis without PR3-ANCA at relapse]

A 49-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with fever. His chest radiograph showed some nodules in the right upper and lower lung fields. The cytoplasmic-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody test was positive, and histopathologic biopsy of a small nasal polyps yielded a diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis. He was started on prednisolone and cyclophosphamide. The findings on his chest radiograph and his symptoms improved rapidly, and we stopped these drugs after one year. Two years after cessation of treatment, his chest radiograph showed two nodules with cavities. Relapse of Wegener's granulomatosis was diagnosed. The proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody test was negative. He was started on prednisolone and cyclophosphamide, and the findings on his chest radiograph improved rapidly. Chest radiographs are useful for follow-up observation of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis after treatment.