Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T09:17:15.495Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Wegener's granulomatosis presenting as a temporal headache

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Z. G. G. Makura  and
A. K. Robson
Z. G. G. Makura
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, City Hospitals, Sunderland, UK and Dunedin Public Hospital, New Zealand
A. K. Robson*
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, City Hospitals, Sunderland, UK and Dunedin Public Hospital, New Zealand
*
Address for correspondence: Mr A. K. Robson, F.R.C.S., Department of Otolaryngology, City General Hospital, Carlisle CAl 2HG.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Formerly a fatal condition, Wegener's granulomatosis is now treated with good results. Clinical morbidity is often due to failure by clinicians to make the diagnosis. Many patients (including our cases reported here) present with atypical symptoms, and only a high index of suspicion will ensure early diagnosis. Classical chest and renal symptoms often indicate late stage disease. We present two cases that underline the limitations of current ‘diagnostic’ immunological tests whilst emphasising the importance of clinical features in diagnosis.

Standard treatment with Cytotoxic agents and corticosteroids are effective but carry considerable morbidity. We have followed the current trend of incorporating a less toxic antibiotic agent in the management of this enigmatic condition.

Keywords

Wegener's granulomatosisHeadache
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 110 , Issue 8 , August 1996 , pp. 802 - 804
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1996

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

Ataman, M., Sarioglu, T., Shahidi, H., Gursel, B. (1994) Wegener's granulomatosis: case report and review of the literature. Rhinology 32: 92–97.Google ScholarPubMed
Benson-Mitchell, R., Tolley, N., Croft, C. B., Roberts, D. (1994) Wegener's granuloma — presenting as a unilateral parotid swelling. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 108: 431–432.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carrie, S., Hughes, K. B., Watson, M. G. (1994) Negative ANCA in Wegener's granulomatosis. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 108: 420–422.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fauci, A. S., Wolff, S. M. (1973) Wegener's granulomatosis: studies in eighteen patients and a review of the literature. Medicine 52: 536–561.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fukuda, K., Yuasa, K., Uchizono, A., Matsuyama, H., Shimida, K., Ohyama, M. (1989) Three cases of Wegener's granulomatosis treated with an antimicrobial agent. Archives of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery 115: 515–518.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gross, W. L., Ludemann, G., Kieffer, G., Lehmann, H. (1986) Anticytoplasmic antibodies in Wegener's granulomatosis. Lancet 1: 806.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Israel, H. L. (1988) Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim therapy for Wegener's granulomatosis. Archives of internal Medi cine 148: 2293–2295.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McRae, D., Buchanan, G. (1993) Long term sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim in Wegener's granulomatosis. Archives of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery 119: 103–105.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nishino, H., DeRemee, R. A., Rubino, F. A., Parisi, J. E. (1993) Wegener's gramulomatosis associated with vasculitis of the temporal artery: report of five cases. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 68: 115–121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Penchas, S., Gare, M., Melmed, R. N. (1993) Scalp sensitivity in Wegener's granulomatosis. Lancet 341: 1022.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed