A case of Wegener's granulomatosis masquerading as a lung abscess / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Wegener's granulomatosis is a small vessel vasculitis characterized by necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and kidney. Early diagnosis and immediate treatment are very important for a better prognosis, but the nonspecific, variable clinical manifestations and radiologic findings make the diagnosis difficult. A positive proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody test is helpful for the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis. Here, we report a case of Wegener's granulomatosis in 54-year-old man who initially presented with fever and multiple cavitary consolidations on the chest radiograph suggestive of a lung abscess. The final diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis was based on the medical history of otitis media, gradually developed microscopic hematuria, necrotizing granulomatous inflammation on lung histopathology, and a positive proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody test.