A Rare Case of Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis Complicated by Splenic Rupture

Cureus. 2024 Jan 18;16(1):e52536. doi: 10.7759/cureus.52536. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Abstract

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), is a condition marked by necrotizing vasculitis of the small-medium vessels that results in necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. Splenic involvement in GPA is a potentially life-threatening consequence of connective tissue disease and is rarely described as the main presenting feature. We present a case of a patient with perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) who experienced spontaneous splenic rupture. A CT scan of the abdomen, an ANCA test, and a splenic biopsy were employed to identify ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) splenic rupture. Our patient's splenic rupture could be attributed to GPA. Nonetheless, since it may alter patient follow-up and therapy, a patient with spontaneous splenic rupture without an obvious explanation should be promptly evaluated for connective-tissue disease. This report highlights the intricacy and unpredictability of the clinical symptoms linked to AAV, as well as the possibility of misinterpreting them.

Keywords: aav; anca; autoimmune; biopsy; glomerulonephritis; renal failure; rpgn; splenic rupture; vasculitis; wegener's granulomatosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports