Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Churg-Strauss syndrome is one of many forms of vasculitis. Vasculitis
diseases are characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. Churg-Strauss
syndrome, in particular, occurs in patients with a history of asthma or allergy
and features inflammation of blood vessels (also referred to as angiitis) in the
lungs, skin, nerves, and abdomen. The blood vessels involved in Churg-Strauss
syndrome are small arteries and veins.
What causes Churg-Strauss syndrome?
Churg-Strauss syndrome is rare. The cause of the syndrome is not known, but
it involves an abnormal over-activation of the immune system in a person with
underlying bronchospastic lung disease (asthma). While Churg-Strauss syndrome
has been reported to be associated with certain asthma medications, called
leukotriene modifiers, whether they actually cause the disease or whether the
patients that take them have more severe asthma that lends a tendency toward the
development of Churg-Strauss is not yet clear.
What are symptoms of Churg-Strauss syndrome?
Churg-Strauss syndrome causes fever, weight loss, and sinus or nasal passage inflammation in the patient with asthma.
Fatigue is common. Sometimes the asthma actually improves somewhat as the disease intensifies elsewhere. Cough,
shortness
of breath, and chest pain can occur as the lungs are affected by vasculitis.
Skin lumps, called nodules, can appear on the extremities. Diarrhea and pain in the belly occur
due to blood vessel inflammation
within the abdomen. The bladder and prostate gland can become inflamed.
Numbness or weakness of
the extremities is the result of nerve injury
from the vasculitis. If the brain is affected,
seizures or confusion
can occur.
Vasculitis is a general term for a group of uncommon diseases which feature inflammation of the blood vessels. Each form of vasculitis has its own characteristic pattern of symptoms. The diagnosis of vasculitis is definitively established after a biopsy of involved tissue demonstrates the pattern of blood vessel inflammation. Treatment is directed toward decreasing the inflammation of the arteries and improving the function of affected organs.
Relapsing polychondritis is an uncommon, chronic disorder of the cartilage that is characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation of the cartilage of various tissues of the body. Tissues containing cartilage that can become inflamed include the ears, nose, joints, spine, and windpipe (trachea). Tissues that have a biochemical makeup similar to that of cartilage such as the eyes, heart, and blood vessels, can also be affected. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications (NSAIDs) is used as treatment for mild cases of the disease. Steroid-related medications also are usually required.
Relapsing polychondritis is an uncommon, chronic
disorder of the cartilage.
Relapsing polychondritis is characterized by
recurrent episodes of painful inflammation.
Relapsing polychondritis can involve all types of
cartilage.
Typical cartilage tissues affected include the ears,
nose, and joints.
There is no one specific test for diagnosing relapsing
polychondritis.
Treatment often involves cortisone-related
medications.
The course of symptoms for patients is often unpredictable.
What is relapsing polychondritis?
Relapsing polychondritis is an uncommon, chronic disorder of the cartilage that is characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation of the cartilage of various tissues of the body. Chondritis means inflammation of cartilage. Tissues containing cartilage that can become inflamed inclu...
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