WEGENERS GRANULOMATOSIS

By: Camille Baker & Allie Clark

Background Information

An uncommon type of inflammation of small arteries and veins

Involves inflammation of arteries that supply blood to the tissues of the lungs, sinuses, and kidneys

Autoimmune Properties

The cause is unknown, but it may develop as a result of an inflammation causing event that causes an unusual reaction from your immune system

An infection may cause this, but has not been identified

Can lead to inflamed constricted blood vessels and harmful inflammatory tissue masses (granulomas)

Symptoms

Fatigue Weight Loss Fevers Shortness of Breath Joint Pains Sinus Inflammation Nasal Ulcerations Bloody Noses

Runny Nose Cough Hemoptysis

(coughing up blood)

Joint Swelling Conjunctivitis Narrowing of the

Trachea

Treatments

Treated with medicines called glucocorticoids which are steroid hormones that reduce inflammation in addition to chemotherapy to control the overactive immune system

Azathioprine Cyclophosphamide Methotrexate Fosamax Folic Acid

Additional Facts

These pictures show the inflammatory tissue masses (granulomas) that form as a result of this disease.

Both sexes are equally likely to get this disease. Doesn’t usually occur in childhood

Works Cited

www.empowher.com www.hopkinsvasculitis.org www.mayoclinic.com www.medicinenet.com www.niaid.nih.gov