Subclinical pulmonary haemorrhage causing a restrictive lung defect in three siblings with a unique urticarial vasculitis syndrome

Clin Rheumatol. 2003 Oct;22(4-5):309-13. doi: 10.1007/s10067-003-0738-x.

Abstract

Three siblings with urticarial vasculitis syndrome (UVS) are described. All had restrictive lung function abnormalities caused by subclinical pulmonary haemorrhage. The latter was suspected after finding haemosiderin-laden macrophages and a friable bronchial mucosa during elective bronchopulmonary alveolar lavage (BAL). The chest radiographs were normal at presentation but after steroid withdrawal symptoms worsened, haemoglobin levels fell, and Case 1 developed acute pulmonary haemorrhage. This was documented by lung biopsy, which also revealed evidence of old haemorrhage and fibrosis. We concluded that these patients had a unique familial variant of UVS with a previously unreported restrictive lung disease due to subclinical pulmonary haemorrhage.

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Hemorrhage / complications
  • Hemorrhage / genetics*
  • Hemostatic Disorders / complications
  • Hemostatic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Hemostatic Disorders / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / genetics*
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / pathology*
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Siblings
  • Syndrome
  • Urticaria / complications
  • Urticaria / genetics