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Otorinolaringologia 2007 December;57(4):201-5

Copyright © 2007 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Rhinologic manifestations of small-vessel systemic vasculitides

Bacciu A. ¹, Buzio C. ², Di Lella F. ¹, Pasanisi E. ¹, Vincenti V. ¹, Bacciu S. ¹

¹ Department of Otolaryngology University of Parma, Parma, Italy 2 Department of Clinical Medicine Nephrology and Health Science University of Parma, Parma, Italy

Vasculitis refers to an heterogeneous group of disorders which all share a common underlying problem of inflammation and necrosis of blood vessel walls, with subsequent tissue ischemia. The upper respiratory tract represents a common localization of the disease especially in the case of antineutrophil cytoplasmatic antibodies associated vasculitis such as Wegener’s granulomatosis, Churg-Strauss syndrome and microscopic polyangiitis. The ear nose and throat manifestations often represent the first localization of the disease. The purpose of this study is to report the most common rhinologic disorders in small-vessel systemic vasculitides patients in an effort to promote early recognition of this condition by otolaryngologists.