Discussion
Diagnosis With Brief Discussion
- Diagnosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Radiologic Findings
- Chest PA shows bilateral hilar prominency and diffuse ill-defined tiny nodules in both lungs. HRCT shows very small nodules and ground glass opacity in both lungs with upper lung dominancy. Fissural and subpleural nodules are seen. Mediastinal and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy is visible using a soft tissue window. Transbronchial lung biopsy revealed multiple small non-necrotizing granulomas in bronchial wall and interstitium.
- Brief Review
- Sarcoidosis is a systemic disorder of unknown cause, characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomas. Pulmonary manifestations are present in 90% of patients. Pulmonary lesions may resolve spontaneously or progress to fibrosis.
Lymph node enlargement : Mediastinal lymph node enlargement is very common with sarcoidosis, occurring in 60-90% of patients at some stage in their disease. CT shows abnormalities, in order of decresing frequency, in the right paratracheal space (100%), AP window (95%), hilar (90%), subcarinal space (65%), prevascular space (50%), and posterior mediastinum (15%). Node enlargement is usually appear bilateral and symmetrical on radiographys.
Lung diseases:
---Nodules : Pulmonary granulomas are found in relationship to lymphatics in the peribronchovascular interstitial space, subpleural interstitial space and , to a lesser extent, the interlobular septa. Nodules appear as small as a few millimeters in diameter. An upper lobe predominance of nodules is common but not invariable. Nodules may calcify. Large ill-defined opacities with or without air bronchograms, having the appearance of consolidation, can be seen. Large nodules (1 to 4cm) are seen in 15% to 25% of patients.
---Ground glass opacity usually reflects the presence of numerous very small granulomas.
---Reticular opacities and fibrosis.
---Bronchial and bronchiolar abnormalities
Pleural disease : About 1% of patients with sarcoidosis develop pleural abnormalities, pleural effusion or thickening.
- References
- Webb WR, Higgins CB Thoracic imaging Philadelphia : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005: 439-449
- Keywords
- Lung, Mediastinum, Connective tissue diseases, Sarcoidosis ,