Intractable otitis media as a diagnostic clue to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

ABSTRACT

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) presents a variety of manifestations. Two patients with a history of intractable otitis media were diagnosed as having AAV. One was an 87-year-old woman who presented with cough, anorexia, and fever with a one-year and four-month history of otitis media, and the other was a 65-year-old woman with arthritis that appeared after the diagnosis of otitis media. The history of otitis media was a diagnostic clue to AAV in both patients. Diagnosis at the early localized stage is crucial to prevent irreversible status of AAV. Primary care physicians should be aware of the otological manifestation of AAV.