Bilateral facial nerve palsy due to otitis media associated with myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody

Am J Med Sci. 2013 Sep;346(3):240-3. doi: 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e318288371f.

Abstract

Otitis media (OM) is well known as a common feature of proteinase 3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA)-related Wegener granulomatosis, but is a very rare condition in myeloperoxidase ANCA (MPO-ANCA)-related vasculitis. In addition, there have been a few reports showing an association of MPO-ANCA-positive OM with cranial polyneuropathy. In this report, we describe 2 patients with bilateral facial nerve palsy due to MPO-ANCA-related OM. One patient also had bilateral trigeminal neuropathy, pachymeningitis and MPO-ANCA-related glomerulonephritis, whereas the other showed isolated bilateral facial nerve palsy with OM. In both the patients, treatment with prednisolone and immune-suppressant drugs resulted in an improvement of OM and cranial polyneuropathy. Physicians should be aware that MPO-ANCA-positive OM can cause bilateral facial nerve palsy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / blood*
  • Facial Paralysis / blood
  • Facial Paralysis / diagnosis
  • Facial Paralysis / drug therapy
  • Facial Paralysis / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Otitis Media / blood
  • Otitis Media / complications*
  • Otitis Media / diagnosis
  • Otitis Media / drug therapy
  • Peroxidase / immunology*
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Prednisolone
  • Peroxidase