Discussion
Diagnosis With Brief Discussion
- Diagnosis
- Churg-Strauss Syndrome (Allergic Angiitis and Granulomatosis)
- Radiologic Findings
- Posteroanterior chest radiograph shows multifocal patchy nonsegmental consolidations in both lungs. Thin-section CT scans show multifocal patchy consolidations and poorly defined nodules in subpleural region.
She had paranasal sinusitis. Histopathologic findings from skin, nerve, and soft palate biopsies were consistent with Churg-Strauss syndrome (necrotizing vasculitis with or without eosinophil infiltration).
- Brief Review
- Churg-Strauss syndrome (allergic angiitis and granulomatosis) is characterized by hypereosinophilia, asthma, and systemic vasculitis. This disease, which usually occurs in middle age, is a multisystem disorder with predilection for the lungs, skin, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, heart, kidney and joints.
Clinically, there are three distinct phases: (1) a prodromal phase that may persist for many years, consisting of asthma, often preceded by allergic rhinitis; (2) a second phase of marked peripheral blood eosinophilia and eosinophilic tissue infiltrates resembling Loffler’s syndrome, or chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, which may recur over a period of years; and (3) a third, life-threatening vasculitic phase.
Chest radiographs show bilateral nonsegmental consolidation, reticulonodular opacities, bronchial wall thickening, and multiple nodules. The most common thin-section CT findings include bilateral ground-glass opacity; airspace consolidation, predominantly subpleural and surrounded by the ground-glass opacity; centrilobular nodules mostly within the ground-glass opacity; bronchial wall thickening; and increased vessel caliber. In contrast to Wegener’s granulomatosis, cavitation of nodules is rare.
- References
- 1. Choi YH, Im JG, Han BK, Kim JH, Lee KY, Myoung NH. Thoracic manifestation of Churg-Strauss syndrome: radiologic and clinical findings. Chest. 2000;117:117-124.
2. Seo JB, Im JG, Chung JW, Song JW, Goo JM, Park JH, Yeon KM. Pulmonary vasculitis: the spectrum of radiological findings. Br J Radiol 2000;73:1224-1231.
3. Lanham, JG, Elkon, KB, Pusey, CD, et al. Systemic vasculitis with asthma and eosinophilia: a clinical approach to the Churg-Strauss syndrome. Medicine 1984;63:65-81.
- Keywords
- Lung, Vascular, Vasculitis, Eosinophilic lung disease,