Ear, nose, & throat journal
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Lymphatic, venous, and mixed lymphovenous malformations are low-flow lesions that are present at birth and grow proportionately with the patient. We describe an unusual presentation of a lymphovenous malformation in an adult. A 19-year-old man presented to the emergency department with complaints of recent upper respiratory tract symptoms, increasing left-sided sore throat, voice change, odynophagia, dysphagia, and occasional subjective fevers and blood-tinged sputum. ⋯ Magnetic resonance imaging the following day revealed a large, poorly circumscribed, heterogeneous left parapharyngeal mass consistent with a vascular malformation. With continuation of the steroids and antibiotics, the lesion regressed, and the patient was subsequently decannulated. At the 1-year follow-up, he exhibited no clinical symptoms, and he was in good health off steroids.
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Susac syndrome is a rare disorder caused by the development of microangiopathic lesions in the inner ear, retina, and central nervous system. Although relatively few cases have been reported in the literature, this diagnosis is becoming more frequent as physician awareness increases. ⋯ Otolaryngologists should be familiar with this syndrome because hearing loss may be the initial presenting symptom. We describe a new case of Susac syndrome to further promote physician awareness, and we discuss the options for diagnosis and treatment.