ANCA-negative pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis complicated with recurrent massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage

On April 25, 2003, a 62-year-old Japanese man had been admitted to a hospital because of heavy proteinuria and elevated serum creatinine level, and purpura on the lower extremities. On May 15, 2003, he was referred to our hospital for evaluation and treatment. Serum immunoglobulin and complements were within normal ranges. Immune serology was negative for antinuclear antibody, antiglomerular basement membrane antibody, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Histological examination of a percutaneous renal biopsy specimen revealed that all of the glomeruli had severe crescent formation without deposits of immunoreactants. A diagnosis of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-negative pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis was made. The patient was treated with one cycle of steroid pulse therapy (1000 mg methylprednisolone daily, given on 3 consecutive days), and subsequently with prednisolone (60 mg/day). Despite this treatment, renal failure progressed rapidly and hemodialysis was started 1 month after the acute presentation. On May 30, 2003, he suddenly developed massive hematochezia. A technetium-targeted red-blood-cell scan suggested bleeding in the small intestine. On June 11, he presented with massive melena. A bleeding ulcer was found in the third part of the duodenum, and was treated successfully with endoscopy, using a heater probe. On June 19, he presented with massive hematochezia again. Mesenteric angiography revealed active bleeding from the iliac branch of the superior mesenteric artery. He was treated with continuous intraarterial vasopressin infusion by a catheter seated in the branch artery. The majority of patients with pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis, one of the most common causes of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, have glomerular disease as part of a systemic vasculitis. Massive gastrointestinal bleeding, although rare, should be considered one of the serious complications in these patients. © Japanese Society of Nephrology 2005.