[Acute colitis in Wegener's disease: a case report].

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Rheumatology
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a rare systemic vasculitis.
• It typically affects small to medium-sized vessels, primarily in the respiratory tract and kidneys.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent organ damage.

Observation:

• A 52-year-old man presented with persistent deterioration and suspected chronic inflammatory colitis.
• Pulmonary radiography revealed bilateral excavated lung masses.
• Thoracic needle aspiration led to a diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis.

Findings:

• The patient's presentation included unusual features not typical for WG.
• Treatment with high-dose corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide resulted in significant clinical improvement.
• Diagnostic challenges were presented by the atypical initial symptoms and imaging findings.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering WG in patients with unexplained respiratory symptoms and systemic illness.
• It highlights the diagnostic difficulties posed by atypical presentations of WG.
• Prompt and aggressive immunosuppressive therapy can lead to favorable outcomes even in complex cases.