HEAD AND NECK MANIFESTATIONS OF EOSINOPHILIA-MYALGIA-SYNDROME

Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) is a multisystemic disease that oc curs in patients who have consumed products containing L-tryptophan. P rominent features include incapacitating myalgias, arthralgias, neurop athies, and eosinophilia. Despite the frequent association of dysphagi a, dyspnea, and the potential for aspiration, the otolaryngology liter ature is devoid of information on EMS. In order to determine the frequ ency of otolaryngic symptoms, questionnaires were distributed to patie nts with EMS in 33 different US states. Among the 28 various head and neck manifestations studied, 70% of EMS patients complained of general ized muscle spasms, 66% xerostomia, 62% dyspnea, and 56% dysphagia. In addition, the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic criteri a, and treatment options are discussed. This paper assesses the freque ncy of otolaryngic manifestations of EMS, as well as introduces this s yndrome to the otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon. It is important for the otolaryngologist to be aware of EMS and its manifestations an d treatments so that patients with this potentially lethal disease can receive appropriate evaluation and expeditious treatment.