2025 Volume 71 Issue 1 Pages 12-21
Takayasu arteritis is a type of vasculitis characterized by inflammation of the large blood vessels, although there are a wide variety of initial symptoms. Head and neck symptoms such as hearing loss, dizziness, and tinnitus are sometimes easily missed when diagnosing Takayasu arteritis. A few cases of otitis media associated with Takayasu arteritis have been reported. Because the clinical presentation of hearing loss is diverse, the diagnosis may be made only after hearing loss has progressed and other symptoms have also appeared. We herein report a case in which we initially suspected refractory otitis media, such as otitis media with ANCA-associated vasculitis (OMAAV). However, a diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis was eventually made. The patient's otitis media and hearing loss improved with the administration of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications. In cases of refractory otitis media, the possibility of vasculitis other than OMAAV must be considered, and rheumatologists must cooperate in order to successfully treat such cases.
