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[A prolonged case of intractable sneezing. Pathophysiological hypothesis]
F J García Callejo1, F Ferrer Baixauli, M P Martínez Beneyto
1Servicio de ORL, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia, España.
Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola
|May 10, 2000
Summary
A 13-year-old boy experienced prolonged, continuous sneezing for 18 days, significantly impacting his life. Standard treatments failed, but a definitive diagnosis and effective therapy were eventually found, offering insights into sneezing pathophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Persistent sneezing can be debilitating, affecting daily activities and necessitating medical evaluation.
- Diagnostic challenges arise when initial investigations and standard treatments yield no results.
Observation:
- A 13-year-old male presented with paroxysmal, continuous sneezing lasting 18 days and 18 nights.
- The patient's daily activities were severely limited, leading to hospital admission.
- Extensive pediatric, immunological, otorhinolaryngological, pulmonological, neurological, radiological, and psychiatric evaluations were all normal.
Findings:
- Standard treatments including antihistamines, corticoids, and anti-convulsants were ineffective.
- The lack of response to conventional therapies complicated the diagnostic process.
- A definitive diagnosis and a specific, effective treatment were ultimately identified.
Implications:
- The case highlights the importance of considering less common causes of persistent sneezing.
- Understanding the pathophysiology of this unique case may inform future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
- This study contributes to the literature on refractory sneezing and its management in pediatric patients.