Tension Pneumothorax as Initial Manifestation of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA)

  • Rúben Reis Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, Barreiro, Portugal
  • Anneke Joosten Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, Barreiro, Portugal
  • Francelino Ferreira Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, Barreiro, Portugal
  • Magda Silva Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, Barreiro, Portugal
  • Catarina Parente Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, Barreiro, Portugal
  • Inês Maia Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, Barreiro, Portugal
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12890/2021_002304

Abstract

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s granulomatosis) is a systemic vasculitis that primarily affects small and medium vessels. Its manifestations are usually confined to the upper airway, lower airway and kidney. It can also affect other organs and systems, although this is unusual. We describe the case of a 67-year-old woman who presented with a tension pneumothorax due to rupture of a pulmonary cavity. This pulmonary cavity proved to be secondary to systemic disease which also caused a tumour in her kidney. Biopsy showed non-necrotizing granulomatosis, and even though antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) were negative, the diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis was made.

Author Biographies

Inês Maia ,
Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, Barreiro, Portugal

Internal Medicine Intern

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    • Published: 2021-02-11

    Issue: 2021: Vol 8 No 2 (view)

    Section: Articles

    How to cite:
    1.
    Reis R, Joosten A, Ferreira F, Silva M, Parente C, Maia I. Tension Pneumothorax as Initial Manifestation of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA). EJCRIM 2021;8 doi:10.12890/2021_002304.

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