Vasculitis-induced colonic strictures: report of two cases.
OBJECTIVE
The clinical presentations of gastrointestinal involvement from systemic vasculitis are diverse. Colonic involvement from systemic vasculitis is unusual. We report the first case of a symptomatic colonic stricture associated with rheumatoid vasculitis and another associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.


METHODS
The clinical, radiologic, and histologic features of two cases of symptomatic colonic strictures secondary to colonic involvement with vasculitis are described. The literature covering gastrointestinal involvement from vasculitis in these conditions is reviewed.


RESULTS
Surgical resection of the colonic strictures was required in both patients and had a satisfactory outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
These cases provide further evidence of the protean clinical presentations of intestinal involvement in systemic vasculitis. Although immunosuppression has been shown to be of value in the treatment of vasculitis affecting the gastrointestinal tract, surgical resection is required for established strictures.
Keating
J P
JP
Department of Surgery, Wellington Hospital, New Zealand.
King
B R
BR
Kenwright
D N
DN
Brasch
H D
HD
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology