E.N.T. Manifestations in Letterer-Siwe Disease

Abstract

The present patient with Letterer–Siwe's disease had bilateral suppurative otitis media with painless spontaneous perforation and a persistent, profuse, refractory aural discharge. Later, she developed ulcerative tonsillitis and ulcerative stomatitis. A review of a total of 57 reported cases of Letterer-Siwe's disease showed a striking number of E.N.T. changes, especially suppurative otitis, ulcerative tonsillitis, ulcerative stomatitis, purulent rhinitis, and tracheobronchitis.

The author is inclined to believe that the common E.N.T. manifestations are secondary and of no aetiological significance and that the infections are conditioned by local, specific changes, i.e. hyperplasia of reticuloendothelial cells in the mucous membranes and tonsils.