Sarcoidosis commonly affects the salivary glands, especially the parotid gland💭

I’am sharing because, sarcoidosis affects my Parotid & Salivary glands.

Years before being diagnosed with sarcoidosis —My Salivary glands had already been swollen for years… My salivary glands were 1st to be affected; and later and when I say later I mean years later, my parotid gland was affected.

                            xoLisa

Lets get into it—

The parotid gland is the most common site, but submandibular and lacrimal glands can also be affected; and this involvement can be an early sign of sarcoidosis being part of a larger systemic disorder —Though it's often underdiagnosed.

Sarcoidosis of the parotid gland manifests in approximately 4% to 6% of cases, representing an established extrathoracic sign that maybe the first manifestation of sarcoidosis.

Spotlight on…
Effects on the glands include:

Characterized by “persistent” “enlargement” of the parotid gland with characteristic features, including persistent and painless “glandular” swelling.

Additionally—
Dryness(Xerostomia): Ergo.,
Reduced Saliva Production resulting
in dry mouth and dry eyes.

Facial Palsy: Cranial nerve involvement can cause “facial weakness”.

👉Dry mouth due to “reduced salivary” function, & Heerfordt's Syndrome, a “Distinct Variant of #sarcoidosis featuring multi-organ involvement”👈

Diagnosis, relies on the demonstration of “non-caseating granulomas” and imaging findings consistent with sarcoidosis.

#Sarcoidosis Awareness its difficult to Diagnosis Sarcoidosis because symptoms are similar to many other disorders.

https://youtu.be/zrYLShcnTzQ?si=NdMGWzucLjDKe7_z

#non-caseating “granulomas”