Granulomatosis with polyangiitis and constrictive pericarditis--a case report

Polyangiitis with granulomatosis, previously known as Wegener's granulomatosis, is a systemic necrotising granulomatous vasculitis. It predominantly affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts and the kidneys, but can potentially affect any organ system. It is diagnosed by clinical features, immunology (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) and histology. Cardiac involvement occurs in 6 to 44% of cases. We present a case of polyangiitis with granulomatosis and constrictive pericarditis, which occurred despite vigorous immunosuppression and which required surgical pericardectomy.