title: Acute onset of Wegener's granulomatosis and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage treated successfully by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
abstract: Wegener's granulomatosis is a necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis involving the upper airway, lungs, and kidneys. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is a rare and life-threatening presentation of Wegener's granulomatosis. We report on a previously healthy 13-yr-old boy who presented with fulminant pulmonary hemorrhage leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome and was found to have Wegener's granulomatosis. The diagnosis was based on clinical, radiologic, serologic, and histologic manifestations. The therapeutic challenges and the modalities of support to sustain life until clinical remission are presented.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399, USA.
authors.forename: M Elizabeth C
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lovrekovic
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schears
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Helfaer
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Perry
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stafford
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: Raanan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arens