ALVEOLOCAPILLARY MICROANEURYSMS IN P-ANCA -POSITIVE MICROVASCULITIS (MICROSCOPIC POLYARTERIITIS-NODOSA)

In contrast to the panarteriitis nodosa macroform, the lung is frequen tly involved in p-ANCA-positive microvasculitis. Alveolar capillaritis , which may improve under immunosupressive therapy, is a characteristi c feature of microvasculitis. We report on an 82-year-old patient who was admitted to the hospital because of severe hemoptysis due to micro vasculitis. He died 3 weeks later despite therapy with steroids and cy clophosphamide. At autopsy alveolocapillary microaneurysms were found that may be residues of alveolar capillaritis.