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Sarcoidosis presenting with severe haemoptysis
Tropical and Geographical Medicine
|April 1, 1987
Summary
Major haemoptysis is a rare sarcoidosis symptom, even with lung involvement. This case highlights ulcerated nasopharyngeal granulomata as a cause of significant bleeding in sarcoidosis.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Immunology
Background:
- Sarcoidosis commonly affects the lungs but rarely presents with major haemoptysis.
- In tropical regions, haemoptysis is often misattributed to pulmonary tuberculosis.
- Upper respiratory tract involvement in sarcoidosis is infrequently observed.
Observation:
- A 37-year-old Nigerian presented with cough, weight loss, and prominent haemoptysis.
- The patient's symptoms mimicked pulmonary tuberculosis, common in their region.
- Diagnostic evaluation revealed ulcerated nasopharyngeal granulomata.
Findings:
- The cause of haemoptysis was identified as ulcerations within nasopharyngeal granulomata.
- Histopathological examination confirmed sarcoidosis as the underlying condition.
- This presentation underscores a rare manifestation of sarcoidosis involving the upper airway.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of haemoptysis, even in endemic tuberculosis areas.
- Suggests that nasopharyngeal granulomata in sarcoidosis can lead to significant bleeding.
- Emphasizes the need for thorough investigation of upper respiratory tract symptoms in sarcoidosis patients.