Bloody diarrhoea: a rare presentation of a systemic disease.
Bloody diarrhoea in adolescents is usually due to enteric infection or inflammatory bowel disease. We describe a patient with bloody diarrhoea and endoscopic features of colitis in association with a systemic vasculitis. Positive anti-proteinase-3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and cutaneous vasculitis on biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis. He was started on high dose steroids and cyclophosphamide but required plasmapheresis for a declining renal function. The case highlights the need for vigilance with common clinical problems, because a life-threatening condition may be averted by prompt recognition and urgent therapy with immunosuppressants.
Mann
S D
SD
Department of Gastroenterology, Hemel Hempstead General Hospital, Hertfordshire.
Young
A
A
Barrison
I G
IG
Catnach
S M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology*; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010956:Plasmapheresis / Q000379:methods
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide