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Wegener's Granulomatosis
Alternate Names : Midline Granulomatosis
DefinitionWegener's Granulomatosis is a rare disorder which causes inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) in the upper respiratory tract (nose, sinuses, ears), lungs, and kidneys. Many other areas of the body may also be affected, with arthritis (joint inflammation) occurring in almost half of all cases. The eyes and skin may also be affected.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The cause is unknown, but Wegener's Granulomatosis is thought to be an autoimmune disorder and is often classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. Destructive lesions develop in the upper and lower respiratory tract and the kidney. In the kidney, these lesions cause glomerulonephritis that may result in hematuria (blood in the urine) and kidney failure.
It occurs most often between the ages of 30 and 50, and men are affected twice as often as women. It is rare in children, but has been seen in infants as young as 3 months old.
The kidney disease can progress rapidly, with kidney failure occurring within months of the initial diagnosis. If untreated, kidney failure and death occur in more than 90% of all patients with Wegener's granulomatosis.
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• Definition
• Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Symptoms & Signs
• Prevention
• Diagnosis & Tests
• Treatment
• Prognosis
• Complications
• Support Groups
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Acute Kidney Failure
• Allergic Vasculitis
• Autoimmune Disorders
• Chronic Renal Failure
• Conjunctivitis
• Glomerulonephritis
• Kidney Disease
Tests & Exams
• Biopsy
• Bone Marrow Aspiration
• Bronchoscopy with Transbronchial Biopsy
• Chest X-Ray
• Nasal Mucosal Biopsy
• Open Lung Biopsy
• Protein - Urine
• Upper Airway Biopsy
• Urinalysis
Other Topics
• Coughing Up Blood
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Malaise
• Nosebleed
• Rashes
• Respiratory
• Ulcers
• Urine - Bloody
• Wheezing
Review Date : 10/22/2003
Reviewed By : Allen J. Blaivas, D.O, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University Hospital, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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