Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gvvz8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T17:35:36.001Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Wegener's granuloma – presenting as a unilateral parotid swelling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

R. Benson-Mitchell*
Affiliation:
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, Gray's Inn Road, London.
N. Tolley
Affiliation:
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, Gray's Inn Road, London.
C. B. Croft
Affiliation:
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, Gray's Inn Road, London.
D. Roberts
Affiliation:
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, Gray's Inn Road, London.
*
Mr R. Benson-Mitchell, ENT Department, Southend General Hospital, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 0RY.

Abstract

Wegener's granuloma is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis which predominantly affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts and kidneys. The nose and paranasal sinuses are often the first or main sites to be affected. Equally ear involvement is common and a recognized early manifestation of the disease. Salivary gland involvement is rare and is usually part of more widespread systemic involvement.

We present a 34-year-old female with a six-week history of hearing loss and a unilateral parotid swelling. One year previously she was diagnosed as having myalgic encephalomyelitis following a long period of post-viral malaise. The case points to the difficulties encountered when Wegener's granuloma presents in an unusual and varied way. A high index of suspicion coupled with early diagnosis and treatment is essential. The patient made a good recovery.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1994

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abraham-Inpijn, L. (1980) Wegener's granulomatosis, serous otitis media and sinusitis. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 94: 785788.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
D'Cruz, D. P., Baguley, E., Asherson, R. A., Hughes, G. R. V. (1989) Ear, nose and throat symptoms in subacute Wegener's granulomatosis. British Medical Journal 299: 419422.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fauci, A. S., Haynes, B. E., Katz, P., Wolff, S. M. (1983) Wegener's granulomatosis: prospective clinical and therapeutic experience with 85 patients for 21 years. Annals of Internal Medicine 98: 7685.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Murty, G. E. (1989) Wegener's granulomatosis: otorhinolaryngological manifestations. Clinical Otolaryngology 15: 385393.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nicklasson, B., Stangeland, N. (1982) Wegener's granulomatosis presenting as otitis media. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 96: 277280.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ridley, M. G., Wolfe, C. S., Asherson, R. A., Hughes, G. R. V. (1988) Recurrent otitis media and pulmonary infiltrates as presenting features in Wegener's granulomatosis. British Medical Journal 297: 352–253.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Small, P., Black, M., Davidman, M., Champlain, M. L. B., Kapusta, M. A., Kreisman, H. (1980) Wegener's granulomatosis and relapsing polychondritis. A case report. Journal of Rheumatology 7: 915918.Google ScholarPubMed