Wegener's granulomatosis complicated by pulmonary embolism: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

We describe the case of a 79-year-old lady who developed pulmonary emboli on a background of active Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). The literature reports an increased association of venous thromboembolic disease and the small vessel vasculitides, including WG. This case report explores the issues surrounding systemic anticoagulation in the context of a systemic vasculitis that predisposes to severe bleeding, in particular from the respiratory tract.