Wegener's granulomatosis

<B>Wegener's granulomatosis:</B> An uncommon type of inflammation of small arteries and veins (vasculitis) that classically involves the vessels supplying the tissues of the lungs, nasal passages (sinuses), and kidneys.</P> Wegener's granulomatosis usually affects young or middle-aged adults.</P> Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, fever, shortness of breath, bloody sputum, joint pains, and sinus inflammation, sometimes with nasal ulcerations and bloody nasal discharge.</P> The diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis is confirmed by finding evidence of vasculitis and abnormal cellular formations called granulomas on biopsy of tissue involved by the inflammatory process.</P> Wegener's granulomatosis is a serious disease.

Without treatment, it can be fatal within months.

Treatment is directed toward stopping the inflammation process by suppressing the immune system.