Supraglottic laryngeal sarcoidosis masquerading as supraglottitis

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a rare multisystem disorder of unknown aetiology characterised by non-caseating granulomas in involved organs; it is a diagnosis of exclusion. Laryngeal involvement affects only 0.5%–5% of those with sarcoidosis. It is an uncommon but important cause of supraglottic inflammation and oedema and should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with supraglottitis. This case describes a 30-year-old man who presented with stridor and shortness of breath. Flexible nasendoscopic examination revealed a grossly oedematous, pale pink, diffusely hypertrophied epiglottis. Surgical biopsy revealed non-caseating granulomatous inflammation. In the context of exclusion of hepatitis, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity, malignancy and mycobacterial infection, the diagnosis of supraglottic laryngeal sarcoid was made. He is being treated with azathioprine immunosuppression with symptomatic improvement.