Faculty Collaboration Database

Sinonasal disease in patients with sarcoidosis. Am J Rhinol 2001;15(3):211-5

Date

07/17/2001

Pubmed ID

11453511

DOI

10.2500/105065801779954157

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0034964320 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   35 Citations

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disease of unclear etiology with a propensity to involve the lower respiratory tract, but may also involve the upper respiratory tract. Histologically, it is characterized by non-caseating granulomas of various organ systems. Although nasal and sinus involvement is uncommon, patients with sarcoidosis presenting with nasal and sinus complaints may have sinonasal sarcoidosis or simply rhinosinusitis. We reviewed the cases of six patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis who developed chronic sinonasal disease. All six patients had intranasal findings consistent with sinonasal sarcoidosis, but only four had histologic evidence of sinonasal sarcoidosis. These four patients continue to require extensive therapy including topical steroids, systemic steroids, intralesional steroid injections, and nasal irrigations. We conclude that patients with histologically proven sinonasal sarcoidosis present a significant therapeutic challenge because their symptoms and physical findings are often persistent despite aggressive medical and surgical therapy. Their recalcitrant sinonasal disease is thought to result from the destruction of cilia and mucus-producing glands by the granulomatous process.

Author List

Long CM, Smith TL, Loehrl TA, Komorowski RA, Toohill RJ

Authors

Todd A. Loehrl MD Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Christopher M. Long MD Chief, Associate Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Biopsy
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Prednisone
Retrospective Studies
Sarcoidosis
Sinusitis