A case of Wegener's granulomatosis associated with progressive dysphagia owing to esophageal involvement

Abstract

A 52-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with progressive dysphagia. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed esophageal stenosis and computed tomographic scan revealed symmetrical wall thickness of the thoracic esophagus. Biopsies findings from a lesion were unremarkable. However, a definitive diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis was based on positive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies directed against proteinase 3 and otorhinolaryngological manifestations. Esophageal complications are rarely reported in Wegener's granulomatosis; however, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of esophageal involvement.

Key words:

• Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies directed against proteinase 3 (PR3-ANCA)
• Esophageal stenosis
• Wegener's granulomatosis