Clinical study of oral and maxillofacial sarcoidosis

Objectives: This paper is aimed to review the diagnosis and treatment of 14 patients with sarcoidosis in the oral and maxillofacial region. Methods: The clinical data of 14 cases with sarcoidosis in the oral and maxillofacial region treated during 1993 and 2005 in Ninth People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients underwent surgical therapy, and the diagnosis was proven histopathologically. Eight cases with isolated lesion in the oral cavity and maxillofacial region had complete surgical excision and close follow up postoperatively. Four cases with lesions in the parotid gland underwent resection of the mass and superficial lobe of the gland with preservation of the facial nerve. Two patients with multiple lesions were treated with trial of prednisolone first, and then excision of the masses broadly. Routine corticosteroid treatment was given postoperatively. All the patients were followed up from 1 month to 10 years. Results: 5 males and 9 females ranged from 30 to 66 years, with a median of 49 years. The lesions were located in the lip (5), parotid gland (4, 1 was bilateral), chin (1), submandibular region (1), tongue (1), zygomatic and submandibular region (1), parotid gland and mental as well as submandibular region (1). The results of surgical treatment were satisfactory without any major complications. One case with sarcoidosis in the right upper lip reoccurred 1 year postoperatively and underwent re-operation. One case with sarcoidosis in the tongue underwent local resection, and the lesion persisted for 8 years without progress. Two cases with multiple lesions undergoing surgery and postoperative corticosteroid treatment healed well without progress and recurrence. Conclusions: Most lesions were region-limited without systematic involvement. Surgery alone can achieve satisfactory outcomes for isolated lesions; while for multiple lesions, corticosteroid treatment should be given after operation.