A Case of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Mimicking Cutaneous Tuberculosis and Tuberculous Lymphadenitis

Summary@#Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), or Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS) is a rare granulomatous necrotizing vasculitic disease characterized by the presence of asthma, sinusitis, and hypereosinophilia. We describe a patient who was initially diagnosed with tuberculous lymphadenitis and later diagnosed with EGPA.

A Case of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for a Patient with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis and Polyangiitis / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We present herein the case of a 45-year-old man with a coronary artery aneurysm (diameter 19 mm) in the proximal part of the left anterior descending branch associated with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). As coronary angiography showed #6 : 100% and #12-2 : 90%, and Tc-99 m myocardial scintigraphy showed exertional ischemia in the anterior septum, revascularization was considered to be indicated. Prednisolone and mepolizumab were administered preoperatively to suppress the activity of vasculitis due to eosinophilia, and surgery was performed when the eosinophil count normalized. The patient underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (LITA-LAD, SVG-OM2). The patient was discharged, and the postoperative course was uneventful. In coronary artery bypass grafting for EGPA, eosinophils may infiltrate the internal thoracic artery and result in vasculitis, which may affect the patency rate. Perioperative management of vasculitis may thus be important.

Mepolizumab as a steroid-sparing treatment option in a patient with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis / Mepolizumabe como terapêutica poupadora de esteroides num paciente com granulomatose eosinofílica com poliangiite

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a multisystem disorder characterized by asthma, peripheral blood eosinophilia, and signs of vasculitis. Glucocorticoids are considered the cornerstone of treatment, but most patients remain steroid-dependent and carry a significant burden of adverse effects. We report a case of a patient with steroid-dependent EGPA successfully treated with mepolizumab. A 36-year-old man presented with persistent rhinitis, dyspnea, wheezing, and dry cough poorly controlled with inhaled therapy. Eosinophilia in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was seen. Histological findings from nasal mucosa revealed eosinophilic microabscesses and vasculitis without granulomas compatible with EGPA diagnosis. After daily oral prednisolone (PSL) was started, symptoms and eosinophilia improved, but adverse effects emerged. Attempts at tapering off PSL resulted in worsening of symptoms. He started mepolizumab 300 mg monthly, with clinical improvement and sustained disease remission, which allowed reducing the need for PSL. We present a very disabling steroiddependent EGPA. Mepolizumab was able to taper off PSL while maintaining symptomatic control.

Granulomatose eosinofílica com poliangiite (EGPA) é uma doença multissistêmica caracterizada por asma, eosinofilia no sangue periférico e sinais de vasculite. Os corticoides são considerados a base do tratamento, no entanto, a maioria dos pacientes permanece dependente deste tratamento com os seus efeitos adversos associados. Relatamos o caso de um paciente com granulomatose eosinofílica dependente de esteroides com poliangiite (EGPA) tratado com sucesso com mepolizumabe. Um homem de 36 anos apresentou rinite persistente, dispneia, sibilos e tosse seca mal controlada com terapia inalada. Observou-se eosinofilia no sangue periférico e no lavado broncoalveolar. Os achados histológicos da mucosa nasal revelaram microabscessos eosinofílicos e vasculite sem granulomas compatíveis com o diagnóstico de EGPA. Após o início da prednisolona oral diária (PSL), os sintomas e a eosinofilia melhoraram, mas surgiram efeitos adversos. As tentativas de redução gradual da PSL resultaram no agravamento dos sintomas. Iniciou mepolizumabe 300 mg mensalmente, com melhora clínica e remissão sustentada da doença, o que permitiu reduzir a necessidade de PSL. Apresentamos um EGPA dependente de esteroides muito incapacitante. O mepolizumab foi capaz de diminuir o PSL mantendo o controle sintomático sustentado.

Granulomatosis eosinofílica con poliangeitis: presentación inusual de una enfermedad rara en la edad pediátrica / Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: unusual presentation of a rare disease in pediatric age

La granulomatosis eosinofílica con poliangitis (GEPA), es un trastorno poco frecuente en la edad pediátrica, representando menos de un 2% de las vasculitis en pediatría. Su etiología es desconocida y de difícil diagnóstico debido a la variabilidad en su cuadro clínico. Los pacientes presentan como rasgo característico antecedentes de asma, rinitis alérgica y eosinofilia en sangre periférica. A nivel microscópico es una vasculitis necrosante que afecta a vasos de pequeño a mediano calibre, presencia de granulomas y eosinofilia extravascular. La GEPA es una vasculitis asociada a la presencia de anticuerpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilo (ANCA), su positividad en niños sólo se encuentran en menos del 40% de los casos. Presentamos el caso de una escolar de 8 años con cuadros respiratorios recurrentes asociados a eosinofilia superior al 10%, manifestaciones cutáneas importantes, esofagitis eosinofílica y polineuropatía, finalmente diagnosticado con GEPA-ANCA-PR3 (ANCA específico para proteinasa 3).

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare disorder in pediatric age, accounting for less than 2% of vasculitis in pediatrics. Its etiology is unknown and difficult to diagnose due to the variability in its clinical picture. Patients have a history of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eosinophilia in peripheral blood as a characteristic feature. Microscopically, necrotizing vasculitis that affects small to medium-caliber vessels, the presence of granulomas and extravascular eosinophilia. GEPA is a vasculitis associated with the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), its positivity in children is only found in less than 40% of cases. We present the case of an 8-year-old schoolgirl with recurrent respiratory symptoms associated with eosinophilia greater than 10%, important skin manifestations, eosinophilic esophagitis and polyneuropathy, finally diagnosed with GEPA-ANCA-PR3 (specific ANCA for proteinase 3).

A pediatric case of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis accompanied by heart failure mimicking an asthma attack

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA, also known as the Churg-Strauss syndrome) is a disorder characterized by asthma, peripheral eosinophilia and systemic vasculitis. It rarely occurs in children, so that physicians may frequently mistake it for a simple uncontrolled asthma. Since a subsequent cardiac involvement is critical for the prognosis, it is important to suspect EGPA in children with severe, uncontrolled asthma. The cardiac manifestations in EGPA are variable from asymptomatic electrocardiogram abnormalities to pericarditis with pericardial effusion, myocarditis with cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. Although delayed treatment may lead to fatal cardiac complications in EGPA, adequate immune suppression can reverse cardiac impairment. We report a 14-year-old girl with persistent asthma refractory to steroids who was eventually diagnosed with an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-negative EGPA.

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: Experiences in Korean Patients

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is one form of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. Identical to what has been called Churg-Strauss syndrome, EGPA exhibits both allergic and vasculitis features. EGPA was first described as a syndrome consisting of asthma, fever, eosinophilia, and organ involvement including heart failure, neuropathy, and kidney damage, by Churg and Strauss in 1951. On the basis of the 2012 Chapel Hill Consensus Conferences Nomenclature of Vasculitis, EGPA comprises three typical allergic components, including asthma, peripheral eosinophilia, and eosinophil-rich granuloma of the respiratory tracts. EGPA has three clinical and histological stages. The first is an allergic stage composed of asthma and sinusitis, and the second is an eosinophilic stage characterised by peripheral hypereosinophilia and intra-organ infiltration of eosinophils. The last is a vasculitic stage, including necrotising inflammation of small vessels and end-organ damage. In this review, we describe the classification criteria for EGPA and recommendations for the evaluation and management of EGPA with conventional and newly suggested drugs for EGPA. Also, we discuss a variety of clinical aspects such as predictive values for prognosis and associations with other Th2-mediated diseases and hepatitis B virus.

Rinosinusitis recalcitrante por granulomatosis eosinofílica con poliangeítis: reporte de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Chronic recalcitrant rhinosinusitis secondary to eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: report of a case and literature review

RESUMEN Se expone el caso de un paciente de 40 años con diagnóstico de granulomatosis eosinofílica con poliangeítis subyacente a una rinosinusitis crónica recalcitrante. Se describe el caso y se discuten aspectos relevantes de la literatura al respecto.

ABSTRACT We report the case of a 40-year-old man with diagnosis of chronic recalcitrant rhino-sinusitis secondary to eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. We described the case and discuss relevant aspects of the literature about it.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis presenting with acutepolyneuropathy mimicking Guillain-Barré syndrome: A case report

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare systemic vasculitis that commonly affects the peripheral nervous system. EGPA rarely presents with acute polyneuropathy resembling Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). A 51-year-old female patient with a history of asthma suddenly developed bilateral lower extremityparesthesia that progressed to asymmetric ascending paralysis within 10 days of onset. Nerve conduction study results were compatible with acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy, consistent with a GBS subtype. A clinical and neurophysiological diagnosis of GBS was made, and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins were administered. However, the patient's painful motor weakness persisted. Furthermore, she had newly developed skin lesions on her back, face, and arms. Her blood test revealed marked eosinophilia (>60%). In addition, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were reported positive. A Water's view radiographic image showed bilateral maxillary sinusitis. Considering the history of asthma, we suspected EGPA-associated polyneuropathy and started steroid treatment. The patient's strength and eosinophilia improved rapidly and dramatically. EGPA can mimic GBS and should be differentiated because of different treatment strategies. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment help achieve a good outcome.

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Presented as Acute Polyneuropathy and Cerebral Vasculitis

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is an immune related systemic disease that is caused by vasculitis affecting multiple organ systems. It is characterized by asthma, fever, eosinophilia, cardiac problems, renal injury, and peripheral neuropathy. In this report, we describe a patient with EGPA with concurrent cerebral infarction and acute polyneuropathy mimicking a Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). A 46-year-old man presented with rapidly progressing gait disturbance, muscular weakness, and tingling sensation in all four limbs. A nerve conduction study revealed sensorimotor polyneuropathy in all four limbs, and a test of the cerebrospinal fluid showed an albumin-cytologic dissociation. In addition, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and diffusion weighted MRI revealed high signal intensity lesions with gadolinium enhancement on T1-weighted MRI in the right caudate nucleus. After performing laboratory tests, paranasal sinus computed tomography, and a nasal smear, the patient was diagnosed with EGPA and treated with high dose glucocorticoid and oral cyclophosphamide. In conclusion, our findings indicate that a diagnosis of EGPA should be considered when a patient presents with rapidly progressing polyneuropathy mimicking a GBS along with unusual systemic symptoms or brain lesions.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Response of Peripheral Neuropathy in the Presence of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss Syndrome): Experience at a Single Tertiary Center

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare systemic small-vessel vasculitis accompanied by asthma, eosinophilia, and eosinophilic inflammation of various tissues including the peripheral nerves. This study investigated the clinical course and long-term outcomes of peripheral neuropathy in patients with EGPA. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with physician-diagnosed EGPA were identified at Samsung Medical Center between January 1995 and April 2014. Sixty-one of these patients were followed-up for more than 1 year and received corticosteroid therapy with or without intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy for 6 to 18 months. Medical records of the 61 patients including demographic data, clinical features, laboratory and pathological findings, treatments, and outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: Peripheral neuropathy as a manifestation of EGPA was present in 46 (75%) of the 61 patients. The mean follow-up duration of the patients with neuropathy was 6.4 years (range 1.2–18.8 years). The scores on the neurological functional disability scale before and after the combination treatment with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide were 2.43±0.86 and 0.54±0.95 (mean±SD; p<0.001), respectively. The peripheral neuropathy relapsed in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term clinical outcome of peripheral neuropathy in patients with EGPA receiving initial corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide combination therapy was favorable with a very low relapse rate.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis accompanied by rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangitis (EGPA) should be considered in asthmatic patients who present with severe systemic symptoms and eosinophilia. Progressive renal insufficiency can occur during the acute phase of EGPA accompanied by renovascular involvement. A 58-year-old man visited local clinic with complaints of malaise, weight loss, fever, and dyspnea. Eosinophilia was revealed in peripheral blood. Pulmonary function tests were carried out, which yielded decreased lung function with positive bronchodilator response. Kidney and skin biopsies were performed, and histological examination showed acute necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis and leukoclastic vasculitis in the skin, which led to a diagnosis of EGPA (Churg-Strauss syndrome) associated with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. The patient received pulse steroid therapy with parenteral methylprednisolone, followed by oral prednisolone. Clinical and laboratory findings improved dramatically, and remission was attained rapidly. The patient continued to be in remission for 5 months. Prompt and aggressive treatment with systemic corticosteroids is mandatory to control disease activity and to achieve remission.

Infarto agudo do miocárdio como apresentação inicial de granulomatose eosinofílica com poliangiite (anteriormente, síndrome de Churg Strauss) / Acute myocardial infarction as Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly Churg Strauss syndrome) initial presentation

A granulomatose eosinofílica com poliangiite é uma vasculite primária rara, caracterizada por hipereosinofilia, asma de surgimento tardio e granulomas eosinofílicos extravasculares. Relatamos um caso apresentado inicialmente com infarto do miocárdio e que, ulteriormente, teve prosseguimento apenas com asma, manifestações cutâneas e neuropatia periférica. Os parâmetros laboratoriais revelaram hipereosinofilia com um padrão perinuclear negativo de autoanticorpos citoplásmicos antineutrófilos (p-ANCA). A biópsia de pele demonstrou vasculite leucocitoclástica com infiltração eosinofílica, diante de uma angiografia coronária normal. Os sintomas do paciente melhoraram com metilprednisolona IV, pulsoterapia com ciclofosfamida e azatioprina.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a rare primary vasculitic disease characterized by hypereosinophilia, late onset asthma and extravascular eosinophil granulomas. We report a case presented initially with acute myocardial infarction which later only proceed with asthma, skin manifestations and peripheral neuropathy. Laboratory parameters showed hypereosinohpilia with negative perinuclear pattern of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (p-ANCA). Skin biopsy showed leucocytoclastic vasculitis with eosinophilic infiltration while coronary angiography was normal. The patient's symptoms improved with IV methylprednisolone, pulse cyclophosphamide and azathioprine.

Síndrome hipereosinofílico y síndrome de Churg-Strauss ¿Espectro de una misma enfermedad? Nuevos conceptos / Hypereosinophilic syndrome and Churg-Strauss syndrome Spectrum of the same disease? New concepts

Propósito de la revisión: revisar la literatura actual sobre el síndrome hipereosinofílico y establecercuáles son las diferencias y semejanzas con el síndrome de Churg-Strauss. Fuente de datos: revisión estructurada de la literatura médica, en las bases de datos Pubmed, Medline y Cochrane. Selección de estudios: se limitó la búsqueda a los artículos de revisión, guías de manejo y meta-análisis, sin límites en idioma ni fecha de publicación, utilizando los términos MESH: hypereosinophilic síndrome, eosinophilic, Churg-Strauss sindrome. Se acoplaron a términos como: update, review, associations. Extracción de datos: se hizo la lectura del resumen de 232 trabajos de los cuales se seleccionaron 111 que eran representativos para el tema de esta revisión, después de una clasificación y ordenamiento, se procedió a la redacción del texto. Conclusiones: el síndrome hipereosinofílico comprende un grupo heterogéneo de enfermedades con presentaciones clínicas muy variadas, para algunos autores el síndrome de Churg-Strauss o más recientemente conocido como granulomatosis eosinofílica con poliangiítis hace parte de este gran síndrome pero para otros, deben considerarse como entidades aparte. (Acta Med Colomb 2014; 39: 174-184).

Purpose of review: to review the current literature on the hypereosinophilic syndrome and establish which are the differences and similarities with Churg-Strauss syndrome. Source of data: structured review of the medical literature in databases Pubmed, Medline and Cochrane. Study selection: the search was limited to review articles, management guidelines and meta-analysis with no limits on language or publication date, using the MESH terms: hypereosinophilic syndrome, eosinophilic, Churg-Strauss syndrome. These were coupled to terms like:update, review, association. Data extraction: reading of the summary of 232 studies was made. Of these, 111 that were representative for the subject of this review, were selected, and after an ordered classification system, the wording was performed. Conclusions: The hypereosinophilic syndrome comprises a heterogeneous group of diseases with varied clinical presentations; for some authors, Churg-Strauss, more recently known as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, is part of this great syndrome, but for others these should be considered as separate entities. (Acta Med Colomb 2014; 39: 174-184).