When inflammation is not just inflammation-A review of systemic diseases of the nose and sinuses part 2: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Am J Otolaryngol. 2024 May-Jun;45(3):104207. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.104207. Epub 2023 Dec 18.

Abstract

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis is a very common condition. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (eGPA) are systemic diseases which can contribute to the development of chronic rhinosinusitis in select patients.

Objective: Characterize the presenting features, diagnostic criteria, workup, and management of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis as they are encountered in otolaryngology clinics.

Methods: Full length manuscripts published 2000 or later were reviewed. A separate search was conducted for each disease. Pertinent clinical features related to sinonasal manifestations of GPA and eGPA were collected and reported in this review.

Results: 467 references were discovered during literature review process. In total, 42 references for GPA and 35 references for eGPA were included in this review.

Conclusion: GPA and eGPA are vasculitis syndromes which commonly present in the context of multisystem disease. For GPA, pulmonary and renal disease are common; for eGPA a history of asthma is nearly ubiquitous. Sinonasal disease is a very common feature for both disease processes and may precede the development of systemic symptoms in many patients. Clinical work up and diagnosis is complex and generally requires multidisciplinary care. Treatment primarily consists of immunosuppressive agents, and a number of steroids, steroid sparing agents, and biologics have been shown to be effective. The role of sinus surgery includes tissue biopsy for diagnosis, functional surgery for symptom management in select cases, and reconstruction of cosmetic and functional defects.

Keywords: Autoimmune; Chronic rhinosinusitis; Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis; GPA; Granulomatosis with polyangiitis; Histopathology; Immunosuppression; Inflammation; Sinusitis; Steroid; Systemic; eGPA.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Disease
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome* / complications
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis* / complications
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis* / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Male
  • Rhinitis* / diagnosis
  • Rhinitis* / etiology
  • Rhinitis* / therapy
  • Sinusitis* / diagnosis
  • Sinusitis* / etiology
  • Sinusitis* / therapy