Granulomatous hypophysitis due to Wegener's granulomatosis

We describe the MR image findings in a case of granulomatous hypophysitis due to Wegner's granulomatosis. A high index suspicion of hypophysitis based on imaging findings allowed successful medical management and helped avoid surgery. The MR imaging features included a thickened stalk, a diffusely and uniformly enlarged gland, a normal size or minimally enlarged sella, and enhancement of the optic chiasm.     

Imaging of Wegener's granulomatosis

Wegener's granulomatosis is an uncommon multisystemic disorder of unknown aetiology. It is characterized histopathologically by necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis. Most commonly this involves the upper and lower respiratory tract, with pulmonary involvement occurring at some stage of the disease in almost all patients. However, many other organ systems can also be affected including the kidneys, orbits and central nervous system. For this pictorial review, we have assessed the imaging of 155 patients over a 10-year period in order to illustrate characteristic and some of the more unusual imaging features of Wegener's granulomatosis.     

Sinonasal Wegener's granulomatosis: CT characteristics

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a severe and potentially lethal granulomatosis. Even though no specific radiological criteria exist, CT may suggest the correct diagnosis at an early stage. Recent improvement in the prognosis is related to earlier diagnosis, allowing the initiation of efficient and specific treatment before any severe complications occur. We reviewed a series of WG cases in order to establish the CT diagnostic criteria.     

Wegener's granulomatosis: breast localization]

The case of a 37-year-old patient with a history of Wegener's granulomatosis presenting with a right painless breast mass is reported. Breast mammography and sonography were poorly contributive and the inflammatory nature of the lesion was established by fine needle biopsy.     

Unusual radiographic features of Wegener's granulomatosis.

The classical radiologic manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis are paranasal sinus disease and pulmonary nodules. A review of 31 clinicopathologically proven cases of Wegener's granulomatosis was undertaken to delineate some of the atypical radiologic presentations in this disorder. In 16 of the 31 patients a total of 18 atypical radiographic findings were demonstrated. These included lesions of the airways, parenchyma, pleura, and kidneys. We feel the "typical radiologic findings" of Wegener's granulomatosis should be expanded to include (1) endobronchial disease resulting in atelectasis of either a lobe or a complete lung, and (2) pleural disease with thickening or effusion which may be massive. While some of the rarer presentations are still not included, such a redefinition would cover more than 75% of our 31 cases.     

Sinonasal computed tomography in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis

The goal of this study was to describe pathologies of sinonasal CT in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis. Between 1993 and 2004, sinonasal CT was performed in 28 patients (15 male, 13 female) with Wegener's granulomatosis. The following imaging findings were assessed on the CT scans: mucosal thickening, subtotal opacification, air-fluid level, bony destruction, sclerosing osteitis, bony thickening, orbital mass, and saddle nose deformity. Of the 28 patients, 61% showed mucosal thickening in the nasal cavity and 75% in the paranasal sinuses. A subtotal opacification of the paranasal sinuses was detected in 25%, and of the mastoid cells in 7% of patients. Fifty-seven percent of patients had bony destruction of the nasal cavity, and 54% of the paranasal sinuses. CT revealed sclerosing osteitis of the paranasal sinuses in 21%, and of the mastoid cells in 18% of patients. Bony thickening of the paranasal sinuses was detected in 18%, and of the mastoid cells in 14% of patients. With respect to all imaging findings, the maxillary sinuses were the most frequently affected paranasal sinuses. The authors conclude that the following sinonasal CT findings are observed in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis: (1) bony destruction, mainly of the nasal cavity, maxillary sinuses, and mastoid cells; (2) sclerosing osteitis, mainly of the maxillary sinuses and mastoid cells; (3) bony thickening, mainly of the maxillary sinuses and mastoid cells; and (4) mucosal thickening, mainly of the maxillary sinuses. These findings are, however, nonspecific and should be combined with other clinicopathologic and laboratory studies to confirm the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis.     

Pial involvement in Wegener's granulomatosis shown on MRI

Involvement of the brain and meninges is rare in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG); it has been reported in 1.2–8 % of patients. Meningeal involvement in WG has been reported in imaging as being confined to the duramater, and is thought to represent granulomatous infiltration. We present a case of WG with abnormal pial enhancement and involvement of the perivascular spaces on MRI, pathologically proven to represent granulomatous infiltration due to the primary disease rather than to infection. Received: 27 November 1998 Accepted: 25 March 1999     

Pulmonary Wegener's granulomatosis: changes at follow-up CT

The objective of this study was to assess the reversibility of pulmonary lesions in Wegener's granulomatosis using serial CT. We reviewed the follow-up CT scans of ten treated patients with confirmed Wegener's granulomatosis. The delay between the first evaluation before treatment and the second, on patients in clinical and biological remission, ranged from 6 to 54 months (mean 20.5 months). Follow-up CT showed a decrease in the extent of disease in all cases. Lesions disappeared completely, without scarring, in 4 of 4 ground-glass opacities, 25 of 36 nodules, and 4 of 9 pulmonary consolidations; they disappeared with residual scarring in 8 of 8 masses, 3 of 9 pulmonary consolidations, and 2 of 36 nodules. The majority of lesions disappear without scarring. Residual fibrosis may follow the occurence of masses and pulmonary consolidation. Computed tomography permits assessment of cicatricial lesions. Received 27 January 1997; Revision received 14 July 1997; Accepted 4 December 1997     

Cerebral vasculitis secondary to Wegener's granulomatosis: computed tomography and angiographic findings

The central nervous system is rarely involved by Wegener's granulomatosis. A case of Wegener's granulomatosis with involvement of the cerebral arteries was reported. Computed tomography showed extensive brain edema with angiographic demonstration of cerebral vasculitis.     

Computer assisted tomography of orbital lesions in Wegener's granulomatosis

The orbital lesions in six patients with Wegener's granulomatosis were studied by computer assisted tomography (CAT). Four patients had active orbital disease and proptosis, and each was found to have orbital masses accompanied by varying degrees of bone and sinus destruction. Two additional patients with histories of proptosis had no orbital lesions at the time of CAT study.