WEgener's Granulomatosis

Abstract

The authors describe the pathological picture in Wegener's granulomatosis and disçLuss the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease. They report on four cases treated in Helsinki University Otolaryngological Hospital in 1964–65. The disease can be controlled to a high degree by adequate corticosteroid therapy. The authors point out, with special emphasis, that corticosteroid therapy must be initiated with large suppressive doses. They must be continued until definite healing of the granulating ulcerations is observed. Healing is accompanied by a normalization of the patient's ESR. Subsequently the doses should be gradually lowered until a dose of maintenance level is reached, which in Wegener's granulomatosis varies from case to case and is frequently fairly high. If the maintenance dose is too low the symptoms recur soon, together with a rise in ESR.