[Role of the otorhinolaryngologist in HIV infections]

The spreading of HIV infection and the importance of otorhinolaryngological examination in serum positive patients has given rise to some literature regarding the E.N.T. manifestations of this infection. In particular these works underline the nasopharyngeal lymphatic tissue hypertrophy (NLTH). The present work reports data drawn from two years of experience with 69 HIV patients most of which were intravenous drug users (IVDU). The nasopharyngeal findings, divided into 4 classes both in regard to clinical and anatomopathological characteristics, showed that there was a higher incidence of NLTH in HIV+ patients than in the control group. NLTH was particularly found during the initial stages of the disease, in patients ranging in age from 20 to 29 and in IVDU. The most common manifestations found both in the 69 patients examined and in the literature are listed and the main clinical aspects of the various stages of the disease, from contacting AIDS are dealt with. The peculiarity of NLTH is discussed and a viral etiology is suggested even though further study is required to better clarify the physiopathology of the nasopharyngeal lymphatic tissue during an HIV infection. Finally, the importance of a thorough examination of the initial portion of the aerodigestive tract is stressed in all HIV+ cases.