Pituitary involvement in Wegener's granulomatosis: unusual biochemical findings and severe malnutrition

BMJ Case Rep. 2011 Nov 7:2011:bcr0220113850. doi: 10.1136/bcr.02.2011.3850.

Abstract

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a systemic disease with a complex genetic background. It is characterised by inflammation of the small blood vessels leading to damage in any number of organs. The common features include granulomatous inflammation of the respiratory tract and kidneys. Most patients have measurable autoantibodies against neutrophil proteinase-3 (Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody, ANCA). Pituitary involvement is a rare complication of this disease and, when it occurs, diabetes insipidus is the most common manifestation. We describe a 38-year-old female with known long-term WG who presented with partial hypopituitarism, severe malnutrition and ANCA negative status, with a favourable response to steroid pulse therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / blood
  • Female
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / blood
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / complications*
  • Humans
  • Hypopituitarism / blood
  • Hypopituitarism / etiology*
  • Malnutrition / blood
  • Malnutrition / etiology*
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic