[Otologic manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis]

To evaluate the clinical features, pathologic diagnosis and laboratory test of otologic manifestation in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG).

Fourteen eases of WG with ear involvement were reviewed. The clinical course, method of treatment and outcomes in all cases were evaluated. Diagnosis of WG was made when the patients had clinical findings, clear histologic findings and a positive titer of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA). RESULTS In all 14 cases, the most frequent finding was chronic otitis media Sensorineural hearing loss was present in 1 case and facial nerve paralysis was present in 2 cases separately. There were 5 patients whose otologic manifestations were the primary involvement of WG. Fourteen cases had positive histologic diagnosis of WC while 13 cases were confirmed positive for ANCA. All patients were treated with glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive drugs, and finally got marked improvement.

WG should he included in the differential diagnosis in cases of atypical inflammatory states of the ear, facial nerve paralysis and sensorineural hearing loss. Early diagnosis was made basing on the histologic findings and a positive titer of ANCA. Appropriate treatment were important to improve the otologic manifestations of WG.