[Sinonasal sarcoidosis]

Abstract

Background: The sinonasal system is rarely involved in the clinical picture of sarcoidosis. In the absence of pulmonary disease, sinonasal sarcoidosis is extremely rare.

Patients and methods: Four patients with isolated sarcoidosis of the nose and the sinuses are reported; in one of these patients the histological evidence was found in the mucosa of the nasopharynx.

Results: None of these patients was found to have a pulmonary illness or any other extrapulmonary manifestation of sarcoidosis. Retrospectively, two patients fulfilled the more specific diagnostic criteria for sinonasal sarcoidosis reported in the literature.

Conclusion: Sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory sinonasal disease, especially if the mucosa shows signs of granulation, but it should also be considered when an incidental finding of rhinosinusitis is recorded. Rhinosurgical intervention seems to be an appropriate therapy in terms of improving the symptoms of the disease, despite the prolonged period of postoperative healing and the necessity for individual treatment with medication. Following histological confirmation of the diagnosis, adequate medication and further appropriate diagnostic procedures drawing on internal medicine are essential.