Atypical presentation of Churg-Strauss syndrome

Abstract

Churg-Strauss syndrome is a rare, eosinofilic, necrotic vasculitis associated with asthma. A 51-year-old female with asthma was admitted to hospital, suspected of having endocarditis. Two months before that, she had been treated for pneumonia, after which she had lost 13 kg and was suffering from fever. Echocardiography showed a possible affection of mitral valves as well as an irregular pericardium. A CAT scan revealed a possible central lung tumour attached to the pericardium and metastases to the liver. A liver biopsy then showed that she was suffering from Churg-Strauss syndrome.