HIV: An epidemiologic study on head and neck involvement in 50 patients

Introduction: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (aids) is a worldwide infection. because of the vast array of manifestations of aids and its many atypical presentations,it is becoming increasingly challenging for clinicians to accurately diagnose new lesions. materials and methods: in a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from 2007 to 2010,50 patients with a proven human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) infection were evaluated. based on the findings of a physical examination and paraclinic tests,hiv signs and symptoms were recorded. results: the mean (range) age of the patients was 35.45 ±5.24 (5-55) years. forty-two (84%) cases were male and eight were female. the mean duration of carrying the virus was 4.51 ±1.03 years. oral manifestations were the most common (94%),followed by rhinologic (88%),otologic (66%),and finally neck (44%) manifestations. conclusion: head and neck presentations are very common in hiv patients; therefore otolaryngologists,as the first physicians who may encounter such patients,should be aware of this condition.