Management and follow-up of localized Wegener's granulomatosis: a review of five cases.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the complications, efficacy of surgical treatment and outcome in patients with the localized form of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG).


METHODS
We reviewed a series of 5 patients (3 males, 2 females; age range 22-67 years; mean age 44.6 years) with WG in the upper and lower respiratory tracts.


RESULTS
Aural, nasal and ocular complications were common in our patients. All patients responded to standard immunosuppressive treatment, and all surgical treatments had a favorable outcome in the remission stage. Although there was no life-threatening disease activity during the course of treatment, minor relapses occurred in three patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with localized WG may have a better outcome than those with systemic WG, but complications due to the disease or medication must be actively managed. Reconstructive surgery for patients with WG is safe and effective during the remission stage.
Nishiike
Suetaka
S
Department of Otolaryngology, Suita Municipal Hospital, Suita, Japan. nishiike@concerto.plala.or.jp
Kato
Takashi
T
Nagai
Miki
M
Konishi
Masaki
M
Sakata
Yoshiharu
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone