Wegener's disease
Wegener disease (Wegener's granulomatosis)
The Wegener's granulomatosis is in the large group of vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels).
As this disease occurs is unclear, according to present knowledge. It is known that the body antibodies (ANCA = antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) against structures in the cell walls of vascular cells and makes it so comes to an inflammation of the medium sized vessels.
Frequency
The incidence of Wegener's disease is estimated to be about five cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Symptoms
- Preferably in the airways beginning, grobknotige (granulomatous) vasculitis
- Inflammation of the mucous membranes (rhinitis, sinusitis)
- General symptoms such as fever, night sweats, weight loss
- Later the disease spread to other organs such as eye and kidney
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made on the one relating to the presence of specific antibodies in the blood, on the other on a sample (biopsy) from one of the nodules and a histologic (histologic) examination.
Complications
- Inflammation of the renal corpuscles (glomerulonephritis) with eventual loss of function of the institution and the need for dialysis
- Visual disturbances by contamination of the retinal vessels