Management of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Manifestations of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) poses challenges in managing ear, nose, and throat (ENT) manifestations. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on therapeutic interventions for GPA-related ENT complications. Methodology: A systematic search across databases identified relevant studies. Inclusion criteria encompassed human studies reporting on ENT interventions. Two-step screening and quality assessments were conducted. Data extraction included study characteristics and outcomes. A narrative synthesis approach was employed. This review offers insights into managing GPA-related ENT manifestations, guiding evidence-based practices. Results: In the course of our scholarly exploration within the domain of a meticulous and exhaustive literature search yielded a corpus of 58 studies. Systematically knowing this collection to eliminate redundancies, a refined cohort of 42 studies was discerned through a judicious review of titles and abstracts, as identified through the study selection process. Subsequently, a comprehensive scrutiny of the full-text content of 16 remaining studies was undertaken, guided by exacting inclusion and exclusion criteria. This process led to the exclusion of 7 articles and a discerning curation distilled a final set of 9 articles. Conclusion: Our systematic review highlights the intricate nature of GPA’s ENT manifestations, necessitating tailored approaches for effective management. Autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss, nasal disease activity, and tracheobronchial stenosis present diverse challenges, emphasizing the importance of individualized treatment plans. The cautious approach to surgical interventions aligns with the need to assess risks and benefits carefully. This collective understanding contributes to refining the management of GPA and its associated ENT complications.