A manifestation of sarcoidosis in the neck region

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease of unknown etiology. It is characterized by a formation of lumps known as noncaseating granulomas, which are not affected by necrosis. Typical collections of inflammatory cells may be found in any organ tissues but mainly in the lungs, skin or lymph nodes. Head and neck organs involvement is rare, although sarcoidosis can be found in lymph nodes, salivary glands, larynx and sinuses. A search was performed based on medical records of patients admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology within four previous years. We analyzed two cases of sarcoidosis of salivary glands (parotid and submandibular), two cases of larynx involvement and one case of lymphadenopathy due to sarcoidosis. Patients (4 women and 1 man), age range 26–76 years old, were directed to the Otolaryngology Department with neck lymphadenopathy or a suspicion of a neoplastic tumor of salivary gland or larynx. Only one patient had previous diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Preoperative diagnostic procedures such as ultrasonography, biopsy, chest radiography did not suggest sarcoidosis on the initial assessment in other patients. Surgical removal of the pathological findings and histopathological examination confirmed extrapulmonary sarcoidosis. The computed tomography of lungs confirmed coexisting pulmonary sarcoidosis in only one patient.