Sarcoidosis Presenting as an Isolated Facial Swelling – An Unexpected Diagnosis?

From Volume 33, Issue 2, March 2006 | Pages 112-114

Authors

J M Yates

BSc(Hons), BDS, PhD, MFDS RCPS, FDS (OS) RCPS

Lecturer, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Clinical Dentistry, Claremont Crescent, Sheffield S10 2TA

Articles by J M Yates

A J Dickenson

BDS, MBBS, FRCS, FDS RCS

Consultant, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Derby Royal Infirmary, London Road, Derby DEI 2QY, UK

Articles by A J Dickenson

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a rare chronic granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology that primarily affects individuals between 30 and 50 years of age. It is usually characterized by the presence of non-caseating, granulomatous, epithelioid tissue at the sites affected with involvement of lymphoid tissue. Sarcoidosis confined to lymph nodes, salivary glands and other tissue in the head and neck is uncommon and usually indicative of a more generalized systemic process. Within the differential diagnosis of isolated masses associated with the head and neck, sarcoidosis is indeed rare. We report a case of systemic sarcoidosis presenting as a small localized facial swelling. The report illustrates that other symptoms, albeit mild, may direct the clinician to a provisional diagnosis of generalized sarcoidosis.

Article

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