Two asymptomatic cases with sarcoidosis demonstrated sequential evolution from radiographic stage I to III within five years.
There are no guidelines regarding the treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Generally, oral corticosteroids are considered the first-line treatment for symptomatic patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. We report here two Japanese cases with pulmonary sarcoidosis who demonstrated sequential evolution from radiographic stage I to III within five years. Although these two cases had no symptoms, persistent, progressive pulmonary involvements were observed on chest X-ray. Considering the effectiveness of corticosteroids on patients with radiographic type II or III sarcoidosis reported by the British Thoracic Society, corticosteroid therapy might be a choice even in asymptomatic cases, if they demonstrate developing pulmonary involvement.
Ishioka
S
S
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
Maeda
A
A
Hiyama
K
K
Jougasaki
Y
Y
Yamakido
M
M
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones