Related Experiment Videos
Orolaryngeal sarcoidosis presenting as obstructive sleep apnoea
L Fuso1, C Maiolo, L M Tramaglino
1Respiratory Physiology Department, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. leofuso@rm.unicatt.it
Summary
Orolaryngeal sarcoidosis, a rare condition, can present as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Steroid treatment resolved the symptoms and nodular lesion in this unique case.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Pulmonology
- Immunology
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) significantly impacts patient quality of life.
- Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease of unknown etiology.
Observation:
- A 53-year-old man presented with symptoms of OSAS, including snoring, dysphagia, and dyspnea.
- Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed a nodular lesion on the posterior ventral tongue, near the epiglottis.
- Biopsy confirmed sarcoidosis, with no other organ involvement.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with orolaryngeal sarcoidosis manifesting solely as OSAS.
- Two months of steroid therapy led to symptom resolution.
- Follow-up evaluations showed complete resolution of the nodular lesion and normalization of polysomnography.
Implications:
- This case highlights orolaryngeal sarcoidosis as a potential, albeit rare, cause of OSAS.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of orolaryngeal sarcoidosis can effectively manage OSAS symptoms.
- Further research is warranted to understand the link between sarcoidosis and sleep-disordered breathing.