Polyps, grommets and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the link between nasal polyposis, refractory otitis media with effusion and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

METHODS: A retrospective observational study was carried out of patients diagnosed with refractory otitis media with effusion necessitating grommet insertion and who had nasal polyps. Patients were evaluated to determine if they fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

RESULTS: Sixteen patients (10 males and 6 females) were identified. The mean age of grommet insertion was 45.4 years. The mean number of grommets inserted per patient was 1.6. The mean number of nasal polypectomies was 1.7. All 16 patients had paranasal sinus abnormalities and otitis media with effusion, 14 had asthma, 9 had serological eosinophilia and 7 had extravascular eosinophilia. Nine patients met the diagnostic criteria for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

CONCLUSION: The co-presence of nasal polyps and resistant otitis media with effusion should raise the possibility of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.