Keynote - Non-infectious granulomatous disease of the head and neck

Non-infectious granulomatous disease comprises a large group of rare entities, which often do not only affect one, but several organs and therefore cause considerable morbidity and increase mortality in these mostly middle-aged to older patients. Children are even more rarely affected. Earlier diagnosis, appropriate immunosuppression and reduced cortison therapy can mitigate symptoms. Findings are often uncharacteristic, rarely show necrosis and are often associated with vasculitis. Therefore, interdisciplinary cooperation is mandatory to draw the right conclusions. The aim of this lecture is to highlight the potential of X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI and show hints, which can make one’s thoughts go into the direction of non-infectious granulomatous disease, such as necrosis of turbinates and nasal septum, three-layer-sclertic thickeing of paranasal sinus walls,pattern of involved intra-orbital muscles and other soft tissues, bilateral facial nerve paralysis, laterality, fat-density goiter, soft tissue calcifications and especially involvement of other organs. Taking the whole history of the patient into account helps to exclude other diseases and come closer to the correct diagnosis after thorough interdisciplinary cooperation