Churg-Strauss syndrome

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Churg-Strauss syndrome — also known as allergic granulomatosis (gran-u-loe-muh-TOE-sis) and allergic angiitis (an-je-I-tis) — is a disorder marked by blood vessel inflammation. This inflammation can restrict blood flow to vital organs and tissues, sometimes permanently damaging them.

Asthma is the most common sign of Churg-Strauss syndrome, but Churg-Strauss syndrome can cause a variety of problems, ranging from hay fever, rash and gastrointestinal bleeding, to severe pain and numbness in your hands and feet. The wide range of symptoms — and their similarity to symptoms of other disorders — make Churg-Strauss syndrome challenging to diagnose.

Churg-Strauss syndrome is rare and has no cure. But, your doctor can usually help you control symptoms with steroids and other powerful immunosuppressant drugs.

References
  1. Baldini C, et al. Clinical manifestations and treatment of Churg-Strauss syndrome. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America. 2010;36:527.
  2. Lee K, et al. Churg-Strauss syndrome. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00012-3--sc0165&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&sid=1068342455&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00012-3--sc0165&uniqId=222493850-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00012-3--sc0165. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  3. Sneller MC, et al. Churg-Strauss syndrome. In: Adkinson NF, et al. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00054-1--cesec15&isbn=978-0-323-05659-5&sid=1068342455&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00054-1--cesec15&uniqId=222493850-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00054-1--cesec15. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  4. King TE Jr. Clinical features and diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome (allergic granulomatosis and angiitis). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  5. King TE Jr. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and pathology of Churg-Strauss syndrome (allergic granulomatosis and angiitis). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  6. King TE Jr. Treatment and prognosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome (allergic granulomatosis and angiitis). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  7. Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/gi-osteoporosis.asp. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  8. Cannon GW. Immunosuppressing drugs including corticosteroids. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/225194068-7/1078137300/1492/151.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50038-0_1384. Accessed Nov. 2, 2010.
  9. Dietary supplement fact sheet: Vitamin D. National Institutes of Health. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  10. Rosenow E (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 19, 2010.
DS00855 Nov. 13, 2010

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