Otolaryngologists and the Early Diagnosis of Mucopolysaccharidoses: A Cross-Sectional Study

[Characterization of otorhinolaryngologic manifestations in children with mucopolysaccharide storage disease typeⅠand type Ⅱ]

Objective:To analyze the characteristics of otorhinolaryngological clinical manifestations in children with Mucopolysaccharide（MPS） type Ⅰ and type II in order to improve the knowledge of otorhinolaryngologists about this disease. Methods:Clinical data related to 55 children with MPS type Ⅰ and type II were retrospectively analyzed to investigate the clinical manifestations of MPS in ENT. Results:All 40 patients（72.72%） with MPS had at least one ENT symptom during the course of the disease, with 95% of them having an ENT symptom prior to the diagnosis of MPS; upper airway obstruction was the most common ENT symptom（34, 85.00%）, followed by recurrent upper respiratory tract infections（23, 57.50%）, and lastly, hearing loss（11, 27.50%）; all 26 patients had undergone at least one surgical procedure, of which 15（57.69%） had undergone ENT surgery, and all of these patients underwent ENT surgery before diagnosis. The most common ENT surgery was adenoidectomy. Conclusion:Early clinical manifestations of MPS patients are atypical, but the early and prevalent appearance of otolaryngologic symptoms and increased awareness of the disease among otolaryngologists has a positive impact on the prognosis of MPS.

[The combination of recurrent otitis media and adenotomy in early childhood as diagnostic marker of mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome)]

Mucopolysaccharidoses are a group of rare lysosomal accumulation diseases caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme and the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides in various organs and tissues. Children with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome) develop multisystem dysfunction, including severe airway obstruction. At the same time, 34% of patients already at an early age (2-3 years) undergo surgical manipulations related to ENT organs (tonsillectomy, adenotomy). The article describes a clinical case of diagnosis of type II mucopolysaccharidosis by a pediatric otorhinolaryngologist. The main manifestations of the disease are discussed in detail, including the presence of indications for adenotomy at the age of 2 years, episodes of otitis media, which served as diagnostic markers for suspected orphan disease mucopolysaccharidosis type II. The leading role of the pediatric otorhinolaryngologist in the early diagnosis of the rare disease mucopolysaccharidosis type II is substantiated.

Hearing Loss in Mucopolysaccharidoses: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of lysosomal storage disorders caused by a deficiency of one of the enzymes involved in the degradation of glycosaminoglycans. Hearing loss is a common clinical presentation in MPS. This paper reviews the literature on hearing loss for each of the seven recognized subtypes of MPS. Hearing loss was found to be common in MPS I, II, III, IVA, VI, and VII, and absent from MPS IVB and MPS IX. MPS VI presents primarily with conductive hearing loss, while the other subtypes (MPS I, MPS II, MPS III, MPS IVA, and MPS VII) can present with any type of hearing loss (conductive, sensorineural, or mixed hearing loss). The sensorineural component develops as the disease progresses, but there is no consensus on the etiology of the sensorineural component. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the most common therapy utilized for MPS, but the effects of ERT on hearing function have been inconclusive. This review highlights a need for more comprehensive and multidisciplinary research on hearing function that includes behavioral testing, objective testing, and temporal bone imaging. This information would allow for better understanding of the progression and etiology of hearing loss. Owing to the prevalence of hearing loss in MPS, early diagnosis of hearing loss and annual comprehensive audiological evaluations are recommended.