Post-mortem findings in a case of fatal vasculitis

The term “vasculitis” refers to a family of conditions characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. These processes can affect small, medium or large vessels, and have a wide range of clinical presentations, histological appearances, and prognoses. As histopathologists, we usually see these vasculitides in a partially or well-treated state; patients have often commenced local or systemic therapy by the time of their biopsy, and this can significantly affect the histological appearances. This case report describes the clinical history and associations of a fatal case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis. GPA is an uncommon multisystem vasculitis, classically involving the respiratory tract and kidneys, though other systems are also known to be affected including the GI tract, skin, and joints among many others. The post-mortem examination identified the immediate cause of death, and demonstrated very well the typical histological features that may be observed in this condition.