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Common variable immunodeficiency syndrome: a difficult diagnostic problem

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2007

C Spyridakou ,
S Berry  and
J Phillipps
C Spyridakou*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, UK
S Berry
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, UK
J Phillipps
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr C Spyridakou, Department of Audiological Medicine, St Ann's Hospital, St Ann's Road, London, N15 3TH, UK. E-mail: chrysasp@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Objective:

We present a rare case of an adult male with undiagnosed common variable immunodeficiency syndrome who presented to the ENT department with refractory chronic sinusitis and otitis media with effusion.

Method:

Case report and a review of the international literature concerning common variable immunodeficiency syndrome in adults and upper respiratory tract involvement.

Results:

A 37-year-old male presented to the ENT department with refractory chronic sinusitis and otitis media with effusion. The diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency syndrome was delayed, and difficult, primarily due to minimal symptoms with no lower respiratory tract involvement and negative past or family medical history.

Conclusion:

Early diagnosis helps to prevent morbidity and even mortality. This article highlights how difficult and important it is to make an early diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency syndrome. Early diagnosis will only be made by increased awareness of this condition.

Keywords

AdultRrefractorySinusitisOtitis Media with EffusionCommon Variable Immunodeficiency
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 121 , Issue 12 , December 2007 , pp. 1204 - 1206
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

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