Objectives: This article discusses the clinical manifestations and treatmen
t protocols of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS). A review of the definition, pa
thophysiology, and prognosis of CSS is included, as well as more recent evi
dence of the presumed association between antileukotriene antagonists and C
SS.
Data sources: Relevant articles in the medical literature derived from sear
ching the MEDLINE database (1966 to present) with key terms Churg-Strauss s
yndrome, allergic granulomatosis, and allergic granulomatous angiitis. Sour
ces included review articles, meta-analyses, randomized control trials, cas
e reports, case series, and seminal articles, the majority of which had bee
n published within the past decade. Study selection: Studies that described
the clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, etiology, treatment, or prog
nosis of CSS.
Results: CSS is a systemic vasculitic disorder with multiorgan involvement
and diverse presentations.
Conclusions: Recognition of the multiorgan manifestations of CSS is crucial
to clinical management. Whether a causal relationship exists between antil
eukotriene antagonists and onset of CSS remains unclear.