Common variable immunodeficiency syndrome: a difficult diagnostic problem.
OBJECTIVE
We present a rare case of an adult male with undiagnosed common variable immunodeficiency syndrome who presented to the ENT department with refractory chronic sinusitis and otitis media with effusion.


METHODS
Case report and a review of the international literature concerning common variable immunodeficiency syndrome in adults and upper respiratory tract involvement.


RESULTS
A 37-year-old male presented to the ENT department with refractory chronic sinusitis and otitis media with effusion. The diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency syndrome was delayed, and difficult, primarily due to minimal symptoms with no lower respiratory tract involvement and negative past or family medical history.


CONCLUSIONS
Early diagnosis helps to prevent morbidity and even mortality. This article highlights how difficult and important it is to make an early diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency syndrome. Early diagnosis will only be made by increased awareness of this condition.
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, UK. chrysasp@hotmail.com
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C
Spyridakou
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Berry
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J
Phillipps
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017074:Common Variable Immunodeficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology