Wegener′s granulomatosis disease mimicking pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Wegener′s granulomatosis (WG) is an uncommon autoimmune disease with multi-system involvement that manifests as vasculitis, granulomatosis, and necrosis. While its standard form involves the upper and lower respiratory tracts and kidneys, it may essentially involve any organ. We present a case in a young female patient presenting with symptoms of cough with expectoration, fever, dyspnea and chest discomfort, having cavitating lesion in right upper lobe and nodule in left upper lobe with bilateral paranasal sinus involvement on computed tomography. Allergic rhino-sinusitis with pulmonary tuberculosis was suspected, and patient was investigated further. Upon further investigation, renal involvement was detected, and serology revealed cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. WG was suspected and was proven by histopathology of nasal tissue which revealed necrotizing granulomas.

Keywords

• Necrotizing granulomas
• pulmonary tuberculosis
• Wegener′s granulomatosis