Wegener granulomatosis presenting as refractory otitis media: A case report

Abstract

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a granulomatous widespread necrotizing vasculitis, sometimes progressing rapidly, characterized by a tendency to involve the upper and lower respiratory tracts, and in most cases, the kidneys. Otologic manifestations may be seen during the course of the disease, however, they are not frequently seen as the first and only presenting feature. The presence of anticytoplasmic antibodies versus neutrophil polymorphonucleate granules (c-ANCA) is highly specific for the diagnosis of WG, being positive in 97% of the cases. The early diagnosis and the timely medical treatment result in high rates of remission of this potentially lethal disease. In this article, we report a case of WG presenting with acute serous otitis media, progressing to suppurative otitis media and granulomas as the first and only symptom, which was refractory to medical therapy during follow-up and which was diagnosed with further examination.