Pulmonary-renal syndrome, diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage and glomerulonephritis, associated with Wegener's granulomatosis effectively treated with early plasma exchange therapy

Intern Med. 2007;46(1):49-53. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.46.6070. Epub 2007 Jan 1.

Abstract

We present a case of a 38-year-old Japanese man with Wegener's granulomatosis complicated with pulmonary-renal syndrome, i.e., diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage and rapidly progressive renal glomerulonephritis. As this is a life-threatening condition, we promptly initiated plasma exchange with intravenous methylprednisolone therapy. Diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage and renal failure were markedly improved. This case merits presentation because there are few clinical studies of the treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis with pulmonary-renal syndrome, particularly with pulmonary hemorrhage.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Glomerulonephritis / diagnosis
  • Glomerulonephritis / etiology
  • Glomerulonephritis / therapy*
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / complications
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / diagnosis
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / therapy*
  • Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Hemorrhage / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases / etiology
  • Lung Diseases / therapy*
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Plasma Exchange / methods*
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Methylprednisolone