Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis

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Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis is inflammation of small- and medium-sized blood vessels that damages organs and that usually occurs in adults with a history of asthma, nasal allergies, nasal polyposis, or a combination.

The cause is unknown.
At first, people may have a runny nose or asthma for months or years or have sinus pain, followed by various symptoms, depending on which organs are affected.
Doctors base the diagnosis on symptoms and results of a physical examination, blood tests, imaging tests, and biopsy.
Corticosteroids are usually effective, but if a vital organ is affected, another drug that suppresses the immune system may be used.

(See also Overview of Vasculitis.)
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis can occur in people of all ages. The average age at the time of diagnosis is 48. Affected people develop asthma, nasal allergies, nasal polyposis (when numerous polyps develop in the nose), or a combination in adulthood. The cause of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis is unknown.
Inflammation that can affect small- and medium-sized blood vessels (vasculitis) may affect any organ. The peripheral nervous system, sinuses, skin, joints, lungs, digestive tract, heart, and kidneys are most commonly affected. Collections of immune cells that cause inflammation (called granulomas) may form raised bumps (nodules) in affected tissue. Granulomas can destroy normal tissue and interfere with functioning. They may also cause lumps to form under the skin. People also have an increased number of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in their blood and body tissues. An increased number of eosinophils is called eosinophilia, and the increase suggests that an allergic reaction may be part of the disorder.