The Journal of Laryngology & Otology

Table of Contents - 2008 - Volume 122, Issue 12  

Review Articles

Ear, nose and throat manifestations of Behçet's disease: a review

C J Webba1, R J Mootsa2 and A C Swifta3 c1

a1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital, Liverpool, UK

a2 Department of Rheumatology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK

a3 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK

Abstract

Objective: To review Behçet's disease and to describe its clinical features in the head, neck and upper respiratory tract.

Method: A literature review was undertaken, following a Medline search of publications over a 30-year period, and utilising the expert knowledge of one of the authors (RJM) with a specialist interest in Behçet's disease.

Results: Twenty-seven articles with ENT relevance were obtained. Otorhinolaryngological manifestations included symptoms and signs in the mouth, nose, sinus, larynx and ear.

Conclusion: Behçet's disease is usually considered to be a condition affecting the oral cavity, eyes and genitals. This article shows that most patients will also exhibit other ENT symptoms, hearing loss in particular. Indeed, Behçet's disease may present with features other than the classic triad of symptoms. Raised awareness of the clinical features within the head and neck region will hopefully enable early diagnosis and treatment of this potentially serious condition.

(Accepted March 20 2008)

(Online publication July 11 2008)

Key words

Correspondence:

c1 Address for correspondence: Mr A C Swift, Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Aintree, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7AL, UK. Fax: +44 (0)151 529 5263 E-mail: Andrew_swift@yahoo.com

Footnotes

Mr C J Webb takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper.

Competing interests: None declared

Related Content