Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Wegener's)

Wegeners granulomatosis. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of granulomatosis with polyangiitis? " пїЅ The symptoms include: пїЅ пїЅ

Runny nose " пїЅ The discharge from the nose can include pus or blood and does not go away
Small sores in the nose or mouth
Sinus infections " пїЅ The sinuses are hollow areas in the bones of the face
Ear problems, including fluid leaking from the ear, ear pain, ear infections, and hearing loss
Inflammation and break down of "cartilage " пїЅ Cartilage is the tough, elastic tissue found in the ears, the windpipe, and the spaces between bones.
A hoarse voice
Cough
Wheezing and breathing problems
Chest pain
Blood in the urine
Red or purple spots on the skin, most often on the lower legs

Is there a test for granulomatosis with polyangiitis? " пїЅ Yes. Your doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and do an exam. Other tests include: пїЅ пїЅ

Blood tests
Urine tests
A X-ray or CT scan (a special type of X-ray) of the chest
A biopsy " пїЅ This is a test that involves taking a small sample of tissue. A doctor examines the sample in a lab. The tissue is usually taken from the skin or the kidney. Sometimes, the sample is taken from inside the nose or the lungs.

How is granulomatosis with polyangiitis treated? " пїЅ The treatment happens in two parts, one after the other. It involves medicines that suppress the body's infection-fighting system, called the "immune system. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

The first part of treatment is called "induction. " пїЅ You will need to take strong medicines that are given as pills or into a vein through a small tube called an "IV. " пїЅ You will need to see your doctor at least once a month during this part of treatment. That's because the medicines can have serious side effects. This part lasts until your symptoms get better, which usually takes about 6 months. пїЅ пїЅ

The second part of treatment is called "maintenance. " пїЅ For this part, your doctor will switch you to a lower dose of the medicines you are taking. Or you might take different medicines that have less serious side effects. The maintenance part lasts at least one year. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83998 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Wegener's)

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