What is sarcoidosis?
Multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown cause
Symptoms of sarcoidosis?
Dry cough
Progressive dyspnoea
Reduced exercise tolerance
Chest pain
Features (different to symptoms) of sarcoidosis?
Erythema nodosum (painful/tender, red/purple, lesions on the shins)
Lupus pernio (sarcoidosis lesions on the skin)
Arthralgia
Lymphadenopathy
What special blood result might be associated with sarcoidosis and why?
Hypercalcaemia
- sarcoid tissue can activate vitamin D and cause hypercalcaemia
What investigation results does sarcoidosis show?
Elevated calcium
Elevated ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme)
Tuberculin test is negative
Biopsy + histology show non-caseating granulomas
How is sarcoidosis diagnosed?
Biopsy + histology showing non-caseating granulomas
What test USED to be done for sarcoidosis?
Kveim-Siltzbach test
- not done anymore
How is sarcoidosis staged and what are the stages?
CXR findings
- Stage 1 - bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy
- Stage 2 - bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy + lung involvement
- Stage 3 - lung involvement only
- Stage 4 - lung fibrosis
How is sarcoidosis treated?
Steroids + immunosuppressants