Sarcoidosis Presenting as Nasal Obstruction

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a chronic systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. The histology of this disease was first reported by Boeck in 1899. Since that time many reports of multiple organ involvement have been published. Symptoms relating to the upper respiratory tract are not uncommon. Nasal obstruction as the presenting and primary complaint in sarcoidosis however is a rare but important symptom as it may lead to the diagnosis of this treatable disease. We present three patients whose initial complaint of progressive nasal obstruction heralded the diagnosis of sarcoidosis upon further workup. The clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, histology, and management of nasal sarcoidosis are discussed.