Toothache and hearing loss: early symptoms of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA).

Abstract

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is an uncommon condition characterised by vasculitis and associated granuloma formation with a highly specific autoantibody, namely proteinase 3-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA). The respiratory tract and kidneys are the organ systems most often involved. Symptoms can be non-specific, and isolated hearing loss can predate other symptoms by months, leading to lengthy delays in diagnosis and treatment. Left untreated, hearing loss can be irreversible, and therefore early diagnosis is crucial. We present a case study of severe hearing impairment in an attempt to raise awareness of ear involvement as an early feature of this unusual condition.

• Authors: Peter Brown, Niall Conlon, Conleth Feighery
• Journal: BMJ case reports (BMJ Case Rep) Vol. 2016 (Jul 19 2016) ISSN: 1757-790X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 27436032 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Chemical References

• Diphosphonates
• Proton Pump Inhibitors
• Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
• Cyclophosphamide
• Prednisolone
• Azathioprine

Topics

• Adult
• Azathioprine (therapeutic use)
• Cyclophosphamide (therapeutic use)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Diphosphonates (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Hearing Loss (complications, diagnosis)
• Humans
• Prednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Proton Pump Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Toothache (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination (therapeutic use)