Intestinal Vasculitis and Endoscopic Video Capsule Findings: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Systemic vasculitis can affect blood vessels of all sizes, causing necrosis and inflammation. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a vasculitis of small and medium blood vessels. Clinical manifestations may be local or diffuse in the gastrointestinal tract. We present a patient’s case with systemic vasculitis associated with anti-cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies (microscopic polyangiitis) confirmed through renal biopsy, presenting a 15-day clinical picture consisting of asthenia, adynamia, subjective oliguria, edema of the upper and lower limbs, hyporexia, and melena. The digital rectal examination was positive for melena in the physical examination, later presenting melena with secondary anemization. An endoscopic video capsule was performed, showing findings compatible with enteric vasculitis. During his stay, he presented multisystemic involvement due to renal, pulmonary, neurological, and gastrointestinal involvement, managed in the intensive care unit (ICU), where systemic steroid pulses and hemodialysis started.

Conclusion: although gastrointestinal vasculitis is a rare complication, it occurs and threats patients’ lives. Differential diagnosis should cover other inflammatory diseases, especially Crohn’s disease. Gastrointestinal vasculitis early diagnosis significantly influences prognosis, as prompt steroid therapy can change the course of the disease.