Nasal Manifestations in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, previously known as Wegener granulomatosis, is an anti-neutrophil
cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitides of medium and small arteries, characterized
by necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tract with coexisting glomerulonephritis.
Untreated generalized GPA is a serious disease that may lead to an irreversible organ damage as
renal or lung failure. We report a case of GPA in a patient presenting with a six-month history of
spontaneous epistaxis, nasal obstruction and frontal headache and evidence at physical examination of a
polypoid mass in the nasal fossae and an asymptomatic perforation of the nasal septum.
A 38-year-old women presented to the Otolaryngology Department of our University reporting a six-month history of spontaneous epistaxis, nasal obstruction and frontal headache.
Otolaryngologic physical examination through nasal endoscopy showed an anterior perforation of the nasal septum and a polypoid translucid mass in the anterior right nasal cavity. The patient reported to habitually smoke 20 cigarettes/die for 20-years and denied previous nasal surgery, nasal trauma, chronic use of nasal decongestants, and assumption of cocaine.
The patient performed maxillofacial computed tomography scan with contrast that confirmed the presence of a soft density polypoid mass occupying the anterior portion of right nasal fossa associated with cartilaginous nasal septum perforation.
General laboratory exams were within normal range. Inflammatory marker assays for C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were within normal limits. In the clinical suspicion of a malignant condition, the patient.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), previously known as Wegener granulomatosis, is an idiopathic vasculitis involving medium and small arteries.
Otolaryngol Open J. 2018; 4(2): 22-25. doi: 10.17140/OTLOJ-4-149
