What is Granulomatosis ?

Granulomatosis is a rare disease that causes inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) in the upper respiratory tract (nose, sinuses and ears), lungs and kidneys; characterized by the formation of lumps called granulomas. Other body parts can also be affected, and at nearly half the cases were arthritis (joint inflammation). This disease can also be the eyes and skin.

Pulmonary granulomatosis Wegener's granulomatosis is that only the nasal passages, respiratory tract and lungs. In these circumstances, the blood vessels of the lungs become inflamed and found some damage to lung tissue.


CAUSE
The cause is unknown, but suspected to be an autoimmune disease and is often grouped into one of the rheumatic diseases.


SYMPTOMS
Pulmonary Wegener's granulomatosis may cause no symptoms or symptoms or may be:
- Fever,
- Weight loss,
- Tired,
- Cough,
- Shortness of breath, and
- Chest pain.

Other upper respiratory tract symptoms are nose bleeding, pain, and open sores (ulcers) around the nostrils.


Diagnosis
Tests carried out to support the diagnosis of pulmonary Wegener's granulomatosis:

Biopsy of lung tissue
Chest X-ray (may show cavities or dense areas of the lungs that look like cancer)
Blood tests to look for presence of autoantibodies (antibodies produced by the body to attack its own tissues).


TREATMENT
Wagener pulmonary granulomatosis may respond well to corticosteroids alone, but many patients also require other immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclophosphamide, or azathioprine methotrexat.