This is the chest X-ray of a middle-aged man with haemoptysis. Mantoux tests and sputum culture are negative. His blood tests show high creatinine and urea.

a. What does the chest X-ray show?

b. What is the most likely diagnosis?

c. In what ways can the eyes be affected?
 

Click here for the answers


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Answers:
This is the chest X-ray of a middle-aged man with haemoptysis. Mantoux tests and 
sputum culture are negative. His blood tests show high creatinine and urea.

a. What does the chest X-ray show?

There are cavitating lesions with infiltration of pulmonary parenchyma 
in the right lung.
b. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Wegener's granulomatosis.
It is a multi-system disorders of unknown origin with lesions typically involving the upper respiratory tract, lungs and kidneys. Nose bleed, haemoptysis and renal failure are common. The chest X-ray typically shows single or multiple cavitation with peumonic infiltration. Diagnosis is helped by the presence of positive ANCA (antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody) in the serum.


c. In what ways can the eyes be affected?

Anterior segment:
  • episcleritis
  • scleritis
  • peripheral corneal infiltrate and ulceration
  • nasolacrimal obstruction
Posterior segment
  • cotton wool spots
  • posterior scleritis
  • vein occlusion
Orbital involvement:
  • proptosis
  • ophthalmoplegia
Click here to return to the main page