title: Early diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis presenting with bilateral facial paralysis and bilateral serous otitis media.
abstract: Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a multi-system disease characterized by granuloma formation and widespread necrotizing vasculitis. It classically presents with involvement of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and renal system. Facial nerve palsy and otologic manifestations have been reported during the course of the disease but it is extremely rare as the presenting features. In Literature only one case of bilateral facial palsy as presenting sign of WG is reported. The testing of anticytoplasmic antibodies versus neutrophil polymorphonucleate granules (c-ANCA) are highly specific for the diagnosis of WG, being positive in 97% of the cases. The early diagnosis and the timely medical treatment lead to high rates of remission of an otherwise lethal disease. A case of WG presenting with bilateral facial paralysis and bilateral serous otitis media is reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, General Hospital of Dolo, Riviera XXIX Aprile, 2, 30031 DOLO, Venice, Italy. emaferri@libero.it
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Armato
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Capuzzo
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cavaleri
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ianniello
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D046089:Hearing Loss, Mixed Conductive-Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone