[50 years of Wegener's granulomatosis]

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) was discovered as an independent "new" disease in 1936. The author describes in retrospect the conditions, favorable circumstances and lucky coincidences that chanced to lead to this discovery. Subsequently, a detailed impression of the morphology of the disease is given, portraying especially the unusual diversity of the microscopic anatomy, both of the granuloma and of the vasculitis and nephritis. In conclusion the author shows the progress that has been made in clinical research on diagnostic techniques, knowledge of the stages and courses of WG and accordingly adapted treatment and in understanding the immunology of this disease.