Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Sarcoidosis of the Head and Neck

  • Review Paper
  • Published:
Head and Neck Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a complex disorder that often times involves the head and neck. Despite the presence of strong clinical evidence, tissue diagnosis and imaging is needed for confirmation of the disease. Although typically managed medically, when found in the sinonasal tract or intracranially, it may necessitate the intervention of a rhinologist-skull base surgeon. This article seeks to provide a comprehensive review of head and neck sarcoidosis, as this fascinating disorder often poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A brief discussion of surgical treatment for pituitary lesions is also provided. Articles from 1997 to 2013 were selected and reviewed by three researchers utilizing the most recent literature regarding sarcoidosis in the head and neck. PubMed searches were conducted using search terms such as “sarcoidosis”, “neurosarcoid”, and “extra-pulmonary sarcoid”, among many others. A large collection of articles was generated and reviewed by the team of authors, and appropriate information was extracted to compose a thorough and expansive review of the subject. 10–15 % of patients with sarcoidosis have head and neck manifestations. Sinonasal and pituitary sarcoidosis presents a diagnostic challenge owing to its non-specific symptoms. Although systemic steroid therapy is often the first time treatment, endoscopic surgery is commonly used to treat advanced pituitary sarcoidosis refractory to medical management. As tissue diagnosis and imaging is key, a multi-disciplinary team approach is advantageous. Our study collates the available literature on head and neck sarcoidosis to provide a comprehensive review of the subject. This provides helpful information to guide all practitioners involved in the care of these challenging patients, namely pathologists, radiologists, otolaryngologists, and skull base surgeons, in the workup and management of head and neck sarcoidosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Dash GI, Kimmelman CP. Head and neck manifestations of sarcoidosis. The Laryngoscope. 1988;98(1):50–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Shah UK, White JA, Gooey JE, Hybels RL. Otolaryngologic manifestations of sarcoidosis: presentation and diagnosis. The Laryngoscope. 1997;107(1):67–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Schwartzbauer HR, Tami TA. Ear, nose, and throat manifestations of sarcoidosis. Otolaryngol clin N Am. 2003;36(4):673–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Mrowka-Kata K, Kata D, Lange D, Namyslowski G, Czecior E, Banert K. Sarcoidosis and its otolaryngological implications. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2010;267(10):1507–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Dastoori M, Fedele S, Leao JC, Porter SR. Sarcoidosis: a clinically orientated review. J Oral Pathol Med. 2013;42(4):281–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Chen ES, Moller DR. Etiology of sarcoidosis. Clin Chest Med. 2008;29(3):365–77.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Semenzato G. ACCESS: a case control etiologic study of sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis. 2005;22(2):83–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Calo PG, Pisano G, Tatti A, Loi G, Furcas S, Nicolosi A. Cervical lymph node sarcoidosis mimicking a parathyroid adenoma: a clinical case. Clin med insights Case Rep. 2013;6:159–63.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Teymoortash A, Werner JA. Parotid gland involvement in sarcoidosis: sonographic features. J clin ultrasound JCU. 2009;37(9):507–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Braun JJ, Kessler R, Constantinesco A, Imperiale A. 18F-FDG PET/CT in sarcoidosis management: review and report of 20 cases. Eur j nuclear med mol imaging. 2008;35(8):1537–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Mallis A, Mastronikolis NS, Koumoundourou D, Stathas T, Papadas TA. Sinonasal sarcoidosis. A case report. Eur rev med pharmacol sci. 2010;14(12):1097–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Dessouky OY. Isolated sinonasal sarcoidosis with intracranial extension: case report. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2008;28(6):306–8.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Bianchini C, Tosin E, Ciorba A, Pelucchi S, Pastore A. Subcutaneous sarcoidosis: a rare involvement of the paralateral nasal region. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2011;31(2):118–20.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Gulati S, Krossnes B, Olofsson J, Danielsen A. Sinonasal involvement in sarcoidosis: a report of seven cases and review of literature. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2012;269(3):891–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Plaschke CC, Owen HH, Rasmussen N. Clinically isolated laryngeal sarcoidosis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2011;268(4):575–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Jalisi S, Winter LK, Elackattu A, Sakai O. Sarcoidosis masquerading as carotid body tumor. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010;136(11):1132–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Heiligenhaus A, Wefelmeyer D, Wefelmeyer E, Rosel M, Schrenk M. The eye as a common site for the early clinical manifestation of sarcoidosis. Ophthalmic Res. 2011;46(1):9–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Bodaghi B, Touitou V, Fardeau C, Chapelon C, LeHoang P. Ocular sarcoidosis. Presse medicale (Paris, France: 1983). 2012;41(6 Pt 2):e349–54.

  19. Vairaktaris E, Vassiliou S, Yapijakis C, Papakosta V, Kavantzas N, Martis C, et al. Salivary gland manifestations of sarcoidosis: report of three cases. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2005;63(7):1016–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Ohtsuka S, Yanadori A, Tabata H, Yamakage A, Yamazaki S. Sarcoidosis with giant parotomegaly. Cutis. 2001;68(3):199–200.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Vourexakis Z, Dulguerov P, Bouayed S, Burkhardt K, Landis BN. Sarcoidosis of the submandibular gland: a systematic review. Am J Otolaryngol. 2010;31(6):424–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Narang R, Dixon RA Jr. Sarcoidosis and ranula of a sublingual gland. Oral surg oral med oral pathol. 1975;39(3):376–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Haimovic A, Sanchez M, Judson MA, Prystowsky S. Sarcoidosis: a comprehensive review and update for the dermatologist: part I. Cutaneous disease. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012;66(5):699.e1–18.

  24. Mana J, Marcoval J. Skin manifestations of sarcoidosis. Presse medicale (Paris, France: 1983). 2012;41(6 Pt 2):e355–74.

  25. Hybels RL, Rice DH. Neuro-otologic manifestations of sarcoidosis. The Laryngoscope. 1976;86(12):1873–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Ozdogan A, Acioglu E, Karaman E, Oz B, Musellim B. A difficult case: sarcoidosis of the middle ear. Am J Otolaryngol. 2009;30(4):281–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Vargas DL, Stern BJ. Neurosarcoidosis: diagnosis and management. Semin respir crit care med. 2010;31(4):419–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Amin A, Balderacchi JL. Trigeminal neurosarcoidosis: case report and literature review. Ear Nose Throat J. 2010;89(7):320–2.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Al hajri FA, Muqim AT, Muttikkal TJ. Neurosarcoidosis with intraparenchymal cystic lesions. A case report. Neuroradiol J. 2009;21(6):810–6.

  30. Langrand C, Bihan H, Raverot G, et al. Hypothalamo-pituitary sarcoidosis: a multicenter study of 24 patients. QJM. 2012;105(10):981–95.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Knopf A, Lahmer T, Chaker A, et al. Head and neck sarcoidosis, from wait and see to tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy: a pilot study. Head Neck. 2013;35(5):715–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Christoforidou A, Goudakos J, Bobos M, Lefkaditis E, Vital V, Markou K. Sarcoidosis-like granulomatosis of the hypopharynx as a complication of anti-TNF therapy. Am J Otolaryngol. 2013;34(3):268–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Butler CR, Nouraei SA, Mace AD, Khalil S, Sandhu SK, Sandhu GS. Endoscopic airway management of laryngeal sarcoidosis. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010;136(3):251–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Santos AR, Fonseca neto RM, Veiga JC, et al. Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach for pituitary adenomas: technical aspects and report of casuistic. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2010;68(4):608–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Gendeh BS. Doi M, Selladurai BM, Khalid BA, Jegan T, Misiran K The role of endoscopic endonasal approach to pituitary tumours: HUKM experience. Med J Malaysia. 2006;61(3):343–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Oostra A, van Furth W, Georgalas C. Extended endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery: from the sella to the anterior and posterior cranial fossa. ANZ J Surg. 2012;82(3):122–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA

    Arvind K. Badhey

  2. Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary – Mount Sinai Health System, 310 East 14th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10009, USA

    Sameep Kadakia

  3. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    Ricardo L. Carrau

  4. Department of Head and Neck Pathology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary - Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, USA

    Codrin Iacob & Azita Khorsandi

Authors
  1. Arvind K. Badhey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sameep Kadakia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ricardo L. Carrau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Codrin Iacob
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Azita Khorsandi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sameep Kadakia.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Badhey, A.K., Kadakia, S., Carrau, R.L. et al. Sarcoidosis of the Head and Neck. Head and Neck Pathol 9, 260–268 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-014-0568-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-014-0568-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation