An unusual presentation of Wegener's granulomatosis mimicking inflammatory bowel disease.

An unusual presentation of Wegener's granulomatosis is described in a 16.67-yr-old black woman with diarrhea, fever, weight loss, abdominal pain, arthralgias, and mouth ulcers, suggesting the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. However, biopsy specimens of rectal mucosa, oro- and nasopharynx, and skin conclusively demonstrated the vasculitic lesion of Wegener's granulomatosis. Furthermore, cyclophosphamide therapy induced remission of clinical and histologic abnormalities. This case emphasizes the diagnostic value of taking biopsy specimens of oral lesions in patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease and demonstrates that the presentation of Wegener's granulomatosis may mimic that of inflammatory bowel disease.