Wegener’s granulomatosis with massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to jejunal and colonic involvement: Report of a case

Abstract

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis of unknown etiology characterized mainly by the involvement of the upper airways, lungs, and kidneys. Although most organ systems can be involved, gastrointestinal involvement in WG is notably uncommon. We herein present the case of a WG patient who developed two massive gastrointestinal hemorrhages treated respectively by surgery and angiographic embolization of the bleeding artery. The present case indicates that gastrointestinal manifestations might thus be considered in the natural history of WG.