The role of endoscopic sinus surgery in chronic sinonasal sarcoidosis

The aim of this study was to define a role for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in the treatment of chronic sinonasal sarcoidosis. All patients seen for sinonasal sarcoidosis in an otolaryngology practice in a tertiary care center from 1991 to 2000 were reviewed. Of 86 patients, 6 were treated with ESS for an operative rate of 7%. Surgeries were performed on those patients with significant sinonasal anatomic blockage. This included nasal obstruction from nasal polyposis and chronic and recurrent acute sinusitis from granulomatous lesions of the ostiomeatal complex. Patients remained symptom free for years after surgery on a nasal steroid regimen. Endoscopic sinus surgery is a viable treatment for those few patients with nasal obstruction or chronic sinusitis due to anatomic blockage from sinonasal sarcoidosis. Although it does not eradicate the disease or prevent recurrence, it does markedly improve quality of life by relieving severe symptoms and reducing the need for systemic steroids. This is the first study to advocate a role for surgery in sinonasal sarcoidosis beyond biopsy and management of complications. Although it may not be the appropriate approach for every patient, ESS certainly should be considered in the treatment options.