Otologic manifestations in Samter's syndrome

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Allergy and Immunology

Background:

• Samter's syndrome, characterized by nasal polyps, chronic rhinosinusitis, aspirin intolerance, and asthma, is a complex condition.
• Otologic manifestations are not commonly recognized as a feature of Samter's syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of otologic manifestations in patients diagnosed with Samter's syndrome.
• To evaluate the potential impact of otologic symptoms on patients with Samter's syndrome.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective and prospective case review of 23 patients with Samter's syndrome was conducted between 1995 and 2005.
• Data collected included patient history, clinical examinations, treatments, and outcomes, utilizing medical records and questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Otologic manifestations, specifically ear pressure and conductive hearing loss, were observed in 6 cases (26%) of Samter's syndrome patients.
• These symptoms typically occurred in advanced stages of the syndrome (over 5 years after initial nasal symptoms) and showed partial responsiveness to systemic steroids.

Conclusions:

• A significant association exists between Samter's syndrome and otologic disease, affecting over a quarter of patients.
• Prompt recognition and treatment with systemic steroids are crucial to prevent the progression of hearing loss and potential infectious complications like otomastoiditis.