Retropharyngeal edema: A rare manifestation of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Abstract

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is characterized by excessive eosinophil accumulation in the peripheral blood and affected tissues with development of granulomatous vasculitic organ damage. Although upper airway and neck involvement is seen in patients with EGPA, retropharyngeal inflammation has never been reported. We report a case of retropharyngeal edema in a 70-year-old woman with EGPA. Her symptoms improved and the retropharyngeal edema disappeared on computed tomography following treatment. EGPA should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with asthma presenting with neck swelling and dysphagia.

Keywords

• Case report
• Dysphagia
• Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
• Neck swelling
• Retropharyngeal edema