Pulmonary sarcoidosis with an alveolar radiographic pattern

Pseudotumor Sarcoidosis: The Contribution of Thoracic MRI to the Presumption of Benignity of a Pulmonary Lesion Process

Sarcoidosis is a benign systemic disease; its diagnosis is based on a suggestive radiological presentation, and the isolation of an epithelioid and gigantocellular granuloma (EGGC) without caseous necrosis with the elimination of other causes of granuloma. However, sometimes the radiological presentation is atypical and misleading, posing problems in terms of differential diagnosis. In this report, we present a case of pseudotumor sarcoidosis, in which MRI played an essential role in characterizing the lesion and suggesting its benignity. We also discuss the role of MRI in evaluating atypical forms of sarcoidosis.

Chronic airspace disease: Review of the causes and key computed tomography findings

Chronic airspace diseases are commonly encountered by chest, body or general radiologists in everyday practice. Even though there is significant overlap in the imaging findings of different causes of chronic airspace disease, some key clinical, laboratory and imaging findings can be used to guide the radiologist to the correct diagnosis. The goal of this article is to review and compare these features.

Lung transplantation for pulmonary sarcoidosis

Although relatively few patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis develop advanced disease that progresses to respiratory insufficiency despite receiving best practice pharmacologic interventions, lung transplantation may be the only therapeutic option for such patients to both prolong survival and provide improved quality of life. Lung transplant can be successfully performed for patients with end-stage pulmonary sarcoidosis, and post-transplant survival is similar to that for other transplant indications such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, appropriate timing of referral, comprehensive assessment of potential candidates for lung transplant, placement of patients on the lung transplant waiting list when within the transplant window as appropriate, choosing the best procedure (bilateral versus single lung transplant), and optimal peri-operative and post-transplant management are key to successful lung transplant outcomes for patients with sarcoidosis.

[Pulmonary sarcoidosis presenting as multiple scattered pulmonary nodules: about a case]

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease that can affect all organs, thoracic involvement often predominates representing its most evocative manifestation. Atypical manifestations, such as the presence of multiple scattered pulmonary nodules may indicate malignancy. Our study reports the case of a 56-year-old patient investigated for asthenia associated with paresthesia of the lower limbs evolving since 6 months. Chest CT scan showed multiple scattered pulmonary nodules. Histological examination of specimens obtained by bronchial biopsy allowed to exclude neoplastic origin and confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. On the basis of normal pulmonary function tests and the absence of extrapulmonary visceral involvement, simple patient monitoring was recommended. Radiologically sarcoidosis can exceptionally present as multiple scattered pulmonary nodules. Histological evidence is necessary to exclude other etiologies including tumors. Corticosteroids are indicated only in the presence of severe respiratory functional impairment and/or associated visceral involvement.

Cavitary alveolar sarcoidosis complicated by an aspergilloma

Cavitation in pulmonary sarcoidosis is rather unusual and even rarer in the alveolar form of the disease. A review of the literature revealed only 13 documented patients with cavitating alveolar sarcoidosis. Of the 13 patients, clinical information was available in only eight cases. Aspergilloma complicating cavitary alveolar sarcoidosis has been documented only once before. A 38-year-old woman with progressive dyspnoea for 3 years presented owing to a bout of haemoptysis. Imaging prior to presentation demonstrated mediastinal lymphadenopathy and coalescent parenchymal alveolar opacities along with air bronchograms, suggestive of alveolar sarcoidosis. On presentation, cavitations were visible in both lungs within the consolidation along with an intracavitary mass in the left upper lobe, which on evaluation was recognised as an aspergilloma. Bronchoscopy disclosed non-caseating granulomas on histopathology confirming pulmonary sarcoidosis. Cavitary alveolar sarcoidosis with aspergilloma formation can result in a diagnostic dilemma, especially in endemic tuberculous areas.

Acute alveolar sarcoidosis presenting with hypoxaemic respiratory failure

Alveolar sarcoidosis is a less commonly seen pulmonary manifestation of the disease. An acute presentation of this radiological pattern with hypoxaemic respiratory failure has been documented only once, four decades ago. A 30-year-old man presented with acute onset of progressive and persistent dyspnoea over 20 days ago with hypoxaemic respiratory failure. Imaging demonstrated mediastinal lymphadenopathy and coalescent parenchymal alveolar opacities having ill-defined margins along with air bronchograms in the mid and lower zones bilaterally, suggestive of alveolar sarcoidosis. A restrictive pattern with a diffusion defect was seen on pulmonary function testing. Bronchoscopic evaluation revealed non-caseating granulomas on histopathology confirming pulmonary sarcoidosis. This was further supported by an elevated serum ACE level and negative Mantoux test. Oral prednisolone elicited a rapid clinical and radiological response. Alveolar sarcoidosis can rarely present acutely with hypoxaemic respiratory failure, which can respond remarkably and expeditiously to appropriate therapy.

[Pseudotumor phenotype of sarcoidosis: about two cases]

INTRODUCTION

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem benign granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. It can sometimes cause diagnostic confusion by presenting in the form of a pseudotumor, thus constituting a trap for the unwary.

COMMENTS

The authors report two cases of pseudotumor sarcoidosis. In the first, the pseudotumor occurred in the context of multisystem disease in a 48-year-old man. The response to treatment with systemic corticosteroids was complicated by the development of disseminated tuberculosis, which was rapidly fatal. The second case, by contrast, was about a 58-year-old woman and the disease was self-limiting, resolving spontaneously in less than 3 months.

CONCLUSION

Through these two cases, the authors focus on the particularities of the pseudotumor manifestation of pulmonary sarcoidosis. The diagnosis is often difficult. The mismatch between the clinical picture and the extent of radiological lesions should, however, suggest the diagnosis. Histological evidence is needed to eliminate other etiologies including malignant tumors. The condition usually resolves either spontaneously or after treatment with systemic corticosteroids. However, relapses are possible, including on discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy.

Rare manifestations of sarcoidosis in modern era of new diagnostic tools

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Growing body of literature on sarcoidosis in India has led to an increased awareness of the disease. With the advent of better imaging tools hitherto under-recognized manifestations of sarcoidosis are likely to be better recognized. We sought to study the rare clinical and radiological manifestations (<5%) in patients with sarcoidosis.

METHODS

Retrospective review of records of 164 patients with histopathologically proven sarcoidosis seen over six years in a tertiary care centre in north India, was done.

RESULTS

Fifty four rare manifestations were observed in 164 patients. Acute presentation in the form of Lofgren syndrome was seen in eight (4.9%) and Heerfordt's syndrome in two (1.2%) patients. Musculoskeletal manifestations included chronic sarcoid arthritis in three (1.8%), deforming arthritis and bone erosion in one (0.6%) each. Rare initial presentation with dilated cardiomyopathy in one (0.6%), complete heart block in two (1.2%), bilateral sequential facial nerve palsy in two (1.2%), and pyrexia of unknown origin was seen in one (0.6%) patient. Other rare manifestations included chronic respiratory failure in one (0.6%), dysphagia in one (0.6%), sicca syndrome in five (3%), massive splenomegaly in one (0.6%), portal hypertension in two (1.2%), hypersplenism, gastric sarcoidosis, ninth and tenth cranial nerve palsies, moderate pericardial effusion and nephrocalcinosis in one (0.6%) each, and pulmonary artery hypertension in two (1.2%) patients. Rare radiological manifestations included moderate pleural effusion in two (1.2%), pleural thickening in five (3%), calcification of intrathoracic lymph nodes in four (2.4%), alveolar (nodular) sarcoidosis in three (1.8%), and myocardial uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) in two (1.2%) patients. Fourteen patients had airways obstruction and behaved typically like seasonal bronchial asthma with excellent response to corticosteroids.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

Increased awareness of rare manifestations will facilitate better management of these patients. With increasing use of modern diagnostic tools, manifestations hitherto considered rare, are likely to be recognized more frequently in the future.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis: the 'Great Pretender'

Sarcoidosis has a wide spectrum of appearances within the thorax. This review will discuss and illustrate the range of pulmonary manifestations on high-resolution computed tomography and chest radiography, concentrating on atypical features and examples of sarcoidosis mimicking other lung diseases. All included cases have been histologically confirmed. Such variable imaging appearances should alert the radiologist to consider sarcoidosis as a differential diagnosis in the context of interstitial lung disease.

The clinical and radiologic features of nodular pulmonary sarcoidosis

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Nodular sarcoidosis is an uncommon presentation of sarcoidosis. Our objective was to describe the clinical characteristics of a large cohort of patients with nodular sarcoidosis.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of patients with nodular sarcoidosis diagnosed at an urban teaching hospital over a 10-year period.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients with nodular sarcoidosis were identified. All patients were African-American. The mean age was 35 and the female-to-male ratio was 5:1. Twenty-six patients were current or former smokers. All patients had chest CT scan and/or chest radiograph evidence of pulmonary masses. Twenty-seven patients had multiple pulmonary masses/nodules and six had solitary pulmonary nodules/masses. The upper lobes were involved in 27 patients. Mediastinal lymphadenopathy and pleural-based masses were present in 30 and 20 patients, respectively. Extrapulmonary manifestations were present in 14 patients. All patients had tissue diagnosis of noncaseating granulomas with negative culture. Twenty-two patients underwent bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsies, which were diagnostic in 19. Follow-up data were available on 27 patients: complete or nearly complete resolution of the pulmonary masses--either spontaneously or with systemic treatment--was documented for 19 patients, no change in the radiologic findings for 7 patients, and progression to pulmonary fibrosis for 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Nodular sarcoidosis is a rare presentation of pulmonary sarcoidosis. It usually presents with multiple pulmonary masses that tend to be peripheral and are associated with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsies has high diagnostic yield. Despite its ominous presentation, nodular sarcoidosis has favorable prognosis.

Radiological manifestations of sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an immune system disorder characterised by non-necrotising granulomas. Pulmonary involvement is the most common presentation of sarcoidosis, but it can manifest in any organ. Other commonly involved organ systems include the lymph nodes (especially the intrathoracic nodes); the skin; the eyes; the liver; the heart; and the nervous, musculoskeletal, renal, and endocrine systems. The typical and atypical imaging features of multisystemic involvement of sarcoidosis have been discussed with review of the gamut of radiological manifestations of thoracic, cardiac, CNS, abdominal and musculoskeletal sarcoidosis.

[The pseudoalveolar form of sarcoïdosis: a diagnostic pitfall]

BACKGROUND

Sarcoïdosis is a benign systemic granulomatosis whose aetiology remains unknown. Lung is the most frequently involved organ. The pseudoalveolar form of this disease is known to have an acute onset and is quite uncommon. Therefore, diagnosing such a rare variety of sarcoidosis is rather often challenging.

OBSERVATIONS

In the present article, the authors report two cases of pseudoalveolar sarcoidosis. The patients, both young adults, showed no suggestive signs of sarcoidosis at first presentation. This resulted in a considerable delay to diagnosis and to the corticosteroid therapy.

CONCLUSION

The authors emphasize the rarity of the pseudoalveolar form of sarcoidosis. They insist on its roentgenographic characteristics and demonstrate the functional benefits allowed by the precocious medical management. They also propose a current review of the literature.

The "fairy ring": a new radiographic finding in sarcoidosis

A patient who had the "fairy ring" finding shows another new radiographic presentation of pulmonary sarcoidosis that clinicians can add to the list of signs of the disease.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis involves the bronchi or lung in more than 90 percent of patients. Intrathoracic manifestations are protean, ranging from asymptomatic bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy to chronic, progressive, (ultimately fatal), respiratory insufficiency. The clinical course is highly variable, and optimal management and treatment are controversial. We review the salient radiographic, physiologic, and histopathologic features of pulmonary sarcoidosis and discuss rare intrathoracic complications (e.g., bronchostenosis, mycetomas, nodular sarcoidosis, necrotizing sarcoid angiitis and granulomatosis, pulmonary vascular and pleural involvement). We discuss the chest radiographic staging system and the role of ancillary diagnostic modalities including high resolution thin section computed tomographic scans (HRCT), bronchoalveolar lavage, radionuclide scan, and serum angiotensin enzyme converting enzyme. Indications for therapy and an overview of therapeutic options are outlined.

Factors affecting outcome of sarcoidosis. Influence of race, extrathoracic involvement, and initial radiologic lung lesions

Chest roentgenograms of 152 patients with type 2/3 disease observed 3 or more years were reviewed using modified ILO/UC nomenclature. After a mean length of observation of 9.3 years, clinical recovery was observed in 71.7% and radiologic recovery in 48.0% of the patients. Age; duration of observation; mediastinal adenopathy; and character (xyz, pgr, stu), size, extent, and profusion of pulmonary densities were similar in the 53 white and 99 black patients, who differed significantly only in sex distribution. White patients achieved clinical recovery (84.9%) more often than black patients (64.7%) (p = .05). Factors influencing clinical recovery were analyzed by means of stepwise logistic linear regression. The initial roentgenographic features were unrelated to outcome; only race and extrathoracic disease proved to have significant predictive value. The probability of clinical recovery is estimated to be .894 in white patients with disease limited to the chest, .697 in white patients with extrathoracic disease, and .760 in black patients without and .454 in black patients with extrathoracic sarcoidosis. Recovery appears to be related not to the severity of the initial pulmonary reaction but to racially associated factors that influence extrathoracic dissemination as well as lung damage.