Respiratory vasculitis.

Respiratory vasculitis is characterized by granulomatous changes pathologically. Both upper and lower respiratory tracts may be involved. It is convenient to separate three entities: (1) Wegener's granulomatosis, (2) allergic granulomatosis and angiitis, or Churg-Strauss syndrome, and (3) polymorphic reticulosis/lymphomatoid granulomatosis complex. Churg-Strauss syndrome responds well to glucocorticoids. Cytotoxic drugs appear necessary for ultimate control of Wegener's granulomatosis. Radiation therapy is effective in controlling polymorphic reticulosis/lymphomatoid granulomatosis when it is localized to one site. Evidence suggests that polymorphic reticulosis/lymphomatoid granulomatosis may be closely related to lymphoproliferative disorders.