Abstract
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a type of ANCA-associated vasculitis that is rare in children. We report the case of a 13-year-old girl who developed bronchial asthma one year prior to admission. She complained of fever, wheezing, and pain in both legs that lasted for a week. The peripheral blood eosinophil count was significantly increased (14,692/μl). Chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) findings consisted of patchy ground-glass opacities and infiltrates and pericardial effusion. Based on these findings, EGPA was strongly suspected. Prednisolone therapy was initiated, and her respiratory condition improved. The peripheral blood eosinophil count normalized on the 10th day of treatment. Echocardiography also showed pericardial effusion and hypokinesis, suggestive of pericarditis, which improved with treatment. The abnormalities on chest radiography improved gradually over time after initiating the treatment. The typical findings of EGPA on chest radiography and CT include diverse, migratory non-segmental multiple infiltrates, and ground-glass opacities, which were also observed in this case. The symptoms improved as treatment proceeded and almost disappeared after 2 weeks.
These findings of chest radiology and CT are not specific to EGPA, but help to examine complications and confirm the effect of treatment.
