title: Utilisation of plasma exchange in the treatment of digital infarcts in Wegener's granulomatosis.
abstract: Digital ischemia is a rare manifestation of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) with previous management approaches based on the hypotheses of thromboembolic phenomenon and vasospasm. WG is an autoimmune, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-predominant small-to-medium-vessel necrotising vasculitis which mainly affects the pulmonary-renal system. We report on a patient with WG presenting with digital infarction. We successfully treated this patient who had digital infarcts refractory to cyclophosphamide, steroids and vasodilator agents, with plasma exchange.
authors.affiliation: Western Health St Vincent's Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Chee B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Gargi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kothari
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mack
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001706:Biopsy; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply*; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007238:Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013256:Steroids; D014665:Vasodilator Agents