Diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis prompted by orofacial manifestations: a review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Sarcoidosis is a multifactorial systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown origin characterized by many potential signs and symptoms, as well as by the presence of noncaseating granulomas in the organs involved. Sarcoidosis also may manifest in the oral and maxillofacial region.


METHODS
The authors describe a patient with xerostomia, dysgeusia, oral burning, xerophthalmia and bilateral parotid enlargement. She was diagnosed as having systemic sarcoidosis on the basis of the histologic findings of a biopsy of the labial minor salivary gland, as well as subsequent diagnostic evalutons.


CONCLUSIONS
Enlargement of major salivary glands may be the first sign of sarcoidosis in a patient with few other symptoms or clinical findings suggestive of the disease. This case emphasizes the importance of including sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of bilateral parotid swelling associated with xerostomia. It also highlights the dentist's potential role in the diagnosis and dental treatment of patients with systemic sarcoidosis.
Fatahzadeh
Mahnaz
M
Department of Diagnostic Sciences, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey--New Jersey Dental School, Newark 07103, USA. fatahza@umdnj.edu
Rinaggio
Joseph
J
D002054:Burning Mouth Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D004408:Dysgeusia / Q000175:diagnosis; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000175:diagnosis; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000175:diagnosis