IgG4-Related Disease Involving the Ear: A Case Report

IgG4-related disease is a chronic inflammatory disease with widespread clinical presentation. It mimics various malignant, infectious, and inflammatory conditions, leading to confusion in diagnosis and management. Otological manifestations, though relatively rare, can lead to significant complications. A 45-year-old male with a recent history of ventilation tube placement in the right ear presented with a sensation of imbalance associated with profound hearing loss. He was managed in line of acute otitis media with labyrinthitis with steroids and antibiotics and removal of the ventilation tube. He returned in one week and presented with right-sided lower motor neuron-type facial paresis. Computed tomography images of the temporal bone showed a soft tissue density lesion in the right middle ear cavity extending to the mastoid antrum. He underwent a right cortical mastoidectomy with decompression of the facial nerve. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of granulation tissues from the middle ear and the mastoid revealed evidence suggestive of probable IgG4 disease. IgG4-related disease is a relatively new entity, and its pathogenesis has not been properly understood. IgG4 subclass has been involved in this disease resulting in fibro-inflammatory conditions leading to tumor-like masses or fibrosis of the affected organs. Treatment includes glucocorticoids and immunosuppressant medications.