[Granulomatosis with polyangiitis - manifestations in the head and neck area]

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a rare chronic rheumatologic systemic disease with a vasculitis of small- and medium-size vessels. Mostly the upper airways, lung and kidneys are affected. Symptoms are unspecific. Patients complain about stuffy nose, crustiness of nasal secretions, ulcera of the oral mucosa or epistaxis. The otorhinolaryngologist may be the first one to evaluate the patient's health condition. Long term complications may be cardial, renal or pulmonal failure. To this day the aetiology is still unknown. Severe disease is treated with a combination of immunosuppressive medications. Clinic examinations and laboratory tests should be carried out for life-time.