Otopathology of Vasculitis in Granulomatosis With Polyangitis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the temporal bone histopathology of vasculitis in granulomatosis with polyangitis.


BACKGROUND
Granulomatosis with polyangitis is an autoimmune disease that presents as granulomatosis and vasculitis. Otologic findings, including otitis media, hearing loss, vertigo, and facial paralysis are common in this condition.


METHODS
The temporal bones of four subjects with manifestations of vasculitis attributed to granulomatosis with polyangitis were studied under light microscopy.


RESULTS
The four subjects had manifestations of vasculitis including hemorrhage within the cochlea and vestibule, and inflammation and occlusion of vessels in the lateral cochlear wall and the vasa nervorum of the facial nerve.


CONCLUSIONS
We infer that sensorineural hearing loss, vestibulopathy, and facial nerve paresis in granulomatosis with polyangitis can be the results of vasculitis.
Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; and Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Felipe
F
Santos
Mehti
M
Salviz
Haris
H
Domond
Joseph B
JB
Nadol
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003051:Cochlea / Q000473:pathology; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000473:pathology*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*