Is there an anatomic explanation for chest pain in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis?
BACKGROUND
Chest pain (CP), its cause unknown, is a common and often prominent symptom of sarcoidosis.


METHODS
We determined the frequency and character of CP in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and examined its relationship with (1) length of time since diagnosis, (2) roentgenograhic stage, and (3) radiographic abnormalities on spiral chest computed tomography (CT).


RESULTS
Twenty-two patients were studied: 14 of 22 patients (64%) had CP, with 4 of 14 (29%) identifying pain as their primary symptom. Eleven of 14 (79%) had pleuritic CP; 12 of 22 (54.5%) described CP as substernal; and 5 of 22 (22.7%) described CP between the scapula. There was not a significant correlation between CP and the presence or degree of lymphadenopathy. There was no significant correlation between CP and the presence or location of pleural disease. Abnormalities of other thoracic structures also had no significant correlation with the presence of CP.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that there is no "anatomic reason" for CP in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis that is evident on chest CT.
Highland
K B
KB
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-2220, USA.
Retalis
P
P
Coppage
L
L
Schabel
S I
SI
Judson
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000209:etiology; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012540:Scapula; D013249:Sternum; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed