Laryngoscopic diagnosis of laryngeal sarcoid

Sarcoidosis is usually a multisystem granulomatous disease, and it sometimes affects the larynx and causes symptoms of dysphonia, dyspnea, and dysphagia. Laryngeal sarcoid has a characteristic appearance at direct or indirect laryngoscopy: the supraglottic tissues are symmetrically affected with a pale, diffusely swollen appearance somewhat like that of epiglottitis. Five cases of laryngeal sarcoid are presented. Three photographs taken at direct laryngoscopy, and one at indirect laryngoscopy, document and emphasize the typical appearance of the supraglottic tissues. The appearance of this uncommon condition is sufficiently characteristic to suggest the diagnosis, which can finally be confirmed only by biopsy.