Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Granulomatosis

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Granulomatosis

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is an uncommon disorder that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in your nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, and kidneys.

Insight:

• Formerly called Wegener's granulomatosis, this condition is one of a group of blood vessel disorders called vasculitis.
• Granulomatosis slows blood flow to some organs. The affected tissues can develop areas of inflammation called granulomas, which can affect how these organs work.
• Symptoms may includepus-like drainage with crusts from the nose, stuffiness, sinus infections, nosebleeds, coughing, sometimes with bloody phlegm, shortness of breath or wheezing, fever, and joint pain.
• The cause of granulomatosis with polyangiitis isn't known. It's not contagious, and there's no evidence that it's inherited.
• Diagnosis may include lab tests, imaging studies, and biopsy.
• Medications to treat may include corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), mycophenolate (CellCept), methotrexate (Trexall), and rituximab (Rituxan).

Sources:

• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
• granulomatosis image - Google Search