Prostatitis and acute urinary retention as first manifestations of Wegnener's granulomatosis

We present a case of prostatitis with acute urinary retention as a rare initial manifestation of Wegener' Granulomatosis.

The case was a 48-year-old male with symptoms of prostatitis over ten days. The patient presented urinary retention, with partial response to antibiotic treatment. High levels of cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody and a prostatic biopsy were compatible with Wegener' Granulomatosis.

After starting treatment with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide, a significant improvement to the point of disappearance of symptoms was observed. At 3 months pulmonary and upper airway symptoms began, requiring higher doses of cyclophosphamide to control symptoms.

Wegener's Granulomatosis is a multisystem entity whose presentation as prostatitis with urinary retention is rare.