title: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's syndrome and its multisystem involvement.
abstract: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's syndrome is a rare disease that affects tissues containing melanocytes, such as the eyes, central nervous system, inner ear and skin. Some ethnic groups have a higher probability of developing the disease, including Asians, Indians and Latin Americans and females are affected more often.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature was reviewed in books, articles published on the internet and papers available in the online databases MEDLINE, LILACS and SciELO. Texts were selected that focused on otorhinolaryngological symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The disease probably has autoimmune etiology, with aggression occurring on the surface of melanocytes by promoting inflammatory reaction in which T lymphocytes predominate. The allele most often found in association with this disease is HLA DRB1*0405. Clinical manifestations are divided into four stages: prodromal, uveitic, chronic and recurrent. Otorhinolaryngological symptoms occur during the uveitic stage and are characterized by bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus and vestibular symptoms. Diagnosis is made according to the diagnostic criteria for the disease. Treatment is primarily with corticosteroids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important that professionals in other specialties are able to recognize Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada’s syndrome, because late diagnosis can lead to ocular and cutaneous sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, PE, Brazil. luizmota10@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Luiz Alberto Alves
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.forename: Arthur Borges Dos
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014607:Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics