A patient with Churg-Strauss Syndrome including eosinophilic otitis media

Abstract

A 31-year old woman with Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS) including eosinophilic otitis media is presented. Other manifestations included an 11-year history of nasal allergy followed by bronchial asthma, sinusitis with nasal polyps, eosinophilic pneumonia accompanied by peripheral eosinophilia (34% of 6, 600/μl leukocytes), and erythema in both legs. Repeated episodes of painless right otitis media occurred without fever during the first stage of CSS characterized by an allergic state. This progressed to bilateral otitis media with gelatinous mucoid fluid accumulations shortly before the second stage of CSS characterized additionally by peripheral eosinophilia and eosinophilic pneumonia. Numerous eosinophils were found in gelatinous fluid within the tympanic cavity. The patient was diagnosed with bilateral eosinophilic otitis media, which was controlled by nebulizer therapy with 2% fosfomycin and 0.2% betamethasone solution directed into the Eustachian tube and tympanic cavity. Hearing loss and vertigo have been avoided. This case strongly suggests that eosinophilic otitis media can be a manifestation of CSS.