Theme |
Intestinal ulcerations related to vascular disorders |
Title |
Allergic granulomatous angiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome) |
Author |
Akemi Kamatani |
Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita-Health University School of Medicine |
Author |
Ichiro Hirata |
Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita-Health University School of Medicine |
Author |
Yoshio Kamiya |
Kamiya Clinic |
Author |
Naoko Maruyama |
Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita-Health University School of Medicine |
Author |
Toshiaki Kamano |
Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita-Health University School of Medicine |
Author |
Yoshihito Nakagawa |
Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita-Health University School of Medicine |
Author |
Mitsuo Nagasaka |
Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita-Health University School of Medicine |
Author |
Tomoyuki Shibata |
Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita-Health University School of Medicine |
[ Summary ] |
Characteristic symptoms of AGA (Allergic Granulomatous Angiitis, so-called Churg-Strauss syndrome) suffer from asthma, allergic rhinitis, eosinophilia and vasculitis. Vasculitis produces with many symptoms in various organs, for example, the skin, lungs, or kidneys. Gastrointestinal lesions are observed in half of all AGA cases. Lesions in the digestive tract consist of edematous mucosa with erosion or aphthous lesions. Occasionally irregular ulcers with circumference redness are observed. Serious cases, involving renal failure, myocarditis, gastrointestinal damage or central nervous system damage have poor prognoses. When we observe these characteristic lesions in the gastrointestinal tract, we must diagnose and treat them as soon as possible. For proper diagnosis of AGA, we should obtain a biopsy from lesions not only in the gastrointestinal tract but also on the skin. Treatment is based on administration of corticosteroids or a combination of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents (cyclophosphamide or azathioprine) as determined in relation to the degree of organ damage described above. |