[Allergic granulomatous angitis. A report on 4 cases (author's transl)]

The authors describe four new cases of allergic granulomatous angiitis presenting symptoms of bronchopneumonia with asthma, weight loss, and persistent fever. There was associated eosinophilia in each case, and the outcome was rapidly fatal. Autopsy confirmed the presence of characteristic lesions; necrotizing angitis, vein involvement, and extra-vascular granulomatous infiltration, mainly in the lungs and heart. The characteristic clinical, biological, and histological changes seen in Churg and Strauss's syndrome should enable differentiation from other granulomatous angititis affections, especially PAN. A different diagnostic approach is needed, however, as surgical biopsy of the lungs, and/or needle biopsy of the liver is necessary.