Review
English
Abdalla. F. Saghar, Jumma Ahmed Madi
Department of Medicine, Al- Fateh University, Tripoli, Tripoli Medical Centre, Tripoli, Libya
JMJ Vol.8, No.2 (Summer) 2008:88-96
Abstract
Wegener’s granulomatosis is a multisystemic, rare and fatal grasnulomatous vasculitis distinguished from other vasculitides by the pattern of organ involvement and by the histological features. There are several criteria for the diagnosis ,The most recognised is a combination of clinical features, raised Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies “c-ANCA” titre and histopathologic confirmation. C-ANCA a serum IgG autoantibodies with a sensitivity ranging from 70-90%. There are several modalities of medical treatment, the most recent is the usage of cyclophosphamide as an induction therapy for 3-6 months, methotrexate or azathioprene for 12 months as a maintenance therapy in the classical form, while prednisolone and methotrexate are used in the limited form, even though rituximab is showing a promising alternative treatment. Prognosis in the best centres is 91% significant improvement and 75% complete remission.
Keywords: Vasculitis, Granulomatosis, Wegener, Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies”c-ANCA”, Management.
Link/DOI: http://www.jmj.org.ly/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1463