Head and neck manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis

Sixteen of 17 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis were found to have head and neck involvement. Rhinitis and/or nasal obstruction were the most common presenting symptoms. On initial clinical examination, paranasal sinus involvement was observed in 11 patients, ear involvement in 7 and subglottic stenosis in 2 patients. One patient presented with a large and rapidly widening ulcer on the lateral pharyngeal wall. Diagnosis was often difficult and severe delay in diagnosis occurred in 7 patients. In recent years tests for ANCA appeared to be extremely useful.