Löfgren Syndrome and Peritoneal Involvement by Sarcoidosis

Löfgren Syndrome: Clinical Presentation, Clinical Course, and Literature Review

Löfgren syndrome is an acute presentation of sarcoidosis that comprises fever, bilateral and symmetric hilar lymphadenopathies, polyarthritis, and erythema. We present the case of a 34-year-old male patient who presented with ankle monoarthritis without a history of a traumatic event. Contralateral ankle arthritis associated with erythema nodosum and fever developed one week later. Laboratory tests showed anemia, thrombocytosis, and elevated inflammatory parameters. A chest CT revealed symmetrical mediastinal and hilar adenopathies. A transbronchial biopsy was compatible with granulomatous lymphadenitis, and the diagnosis of Löfgren syndrome was confirmed. Our case report and literature review emphasize the wide web of mimicry of acute sarcoidosis. Secondary forms of acute sarcoidosis are likely to benefit from additional and more complex immunomodulatory therapies. Close monitoring and follow-up should be conducted because it is possible that these patients experience higher rates of recurrence or relapse.

Falsely Elevated CA 15-3 Levels in Ovarian Sarcoidosis with Peritoneal Involvement and Ascites

A rare case of ovarian sarcoidosis with peritoneal and omental involvement presenting as an ovarian malignancy is presented. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological evaluation of the patient revealed ascites and high levels of serum CA 125 and CA 15.3. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was confirmed with pathology findings on tissues obtained during surgical laparotomy. Establishing the diagnosis of sarcoidosis can be treacherous and was complicated in this case by the falsely elevated biomarkers and ascites.

Abdominal manifestations of neurologic disorders

A variety of disorders-including infectious, inflammatory, hereditary, and metabolic diseases-may affect both the brain and abdominal cavity, and the findings in one region may help establish the diagnosis or limit the differential diagnosis. Establishing an accurate early diagnosis enables clinicians to adequately manage these unusual diseases and potentially avert life-threatening complications. For example, an early diagnosis of Gardner syndrome enables annual sigmoid- or colonoscopy and ultrasonography. In many conditions, abdominal manifestations precede neurologic manifestations and may have prognostic significance. Patients with celiac disease more often present with abdominal manifestations such as duodenitis, slow transit time, reversal of the jejunal-ileal fold pattern, and transient small bowel intussusception than with intracranial manifestations. In other conditions, the neurologic manifestations may be the same as the presenting symptoms. For example, patients with Gardner syndrome may initially present with multiple mandibular or sinonasal osteomas. In addition, sarcoidosis may manifest with multifocal enhancing dural masses. Abdominal and neurologic manifestations may even occur simultaneously, as in several of the phakomatoses such as neurofibromatosis type 1, tuberous sclerosis complex, and von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Ultimately, familiarity with the appearances of these conditions allows radiologists to pinpoint a diagnosis, even when imaging findings in either location are nonspecific.

Intra-abdominal complications of sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease characterized by non-caseating granulomas in the absence of other autoimmune processes, infectious diseases, or foreign agents. The etiology of sarcoidosis is not completely understood. Several organ systems can be affected, of which the most frequently involved include the lungs and lymph nodes. Intra-abdominal sarcoidosis is less common, but can be found in the absence of pulmonary or lymphatic disease. Intra-abdominal sarcoidosis is most often asymptomatic. However, long-standing unrecognized disease can result in life-threatening complications. The identification, monitoring and prevention of these complications will be discussed, with emphasis on both clinical and histological presentations of intra-abdominal sarcoidosis.

Peritoneal and pleural sarcoidosis: an unusual association - review and clinical report

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To examine recent reports of serosal involvement in sarcoidosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Peritoneal sarcoidosis continues to be a rare manifestation of the disease. Patients with peritoneal disease tend to be women between the ages of 20 and 40 years, and most commonly present with ascites and abdominal pain. Peritoneal involvement is not isolated, and sarcoid granulomas are often found elsewhere. Pleural disease is often manifested as pleural effusions. Patients with pleural disease are often older and usually have lymphocytic exudative effusions.

SUMMARY

Sarcoidosis should be in the differential in a young patient presenting with unexplained effusions and ascites.