title: [Liver and splenic sarcoidosis: diagnostic procedures].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical studies indicate involvement of the liver and spleen in approximately 20-30% of patients affected with sarcoidosis and their detection should be based on a standardized diagnostic procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ultrasonography is a reliable and safe method to assess changes related to size and structure of the affected organs that are pathognomonic for sarcoidosis. Further evaluation may include computerized tomography or magnetic resonance, while percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy or laparoscopy may also be applied when indicated. The most important criterion used for final diagnosis is pathohistological evidence of epithelioid noncaseating granuloma in bioptic material along with already established sarcoidosis of the lungs or some other organ.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study on the incidence of liver and spleen sarcoidosis included a group of 130 patients affected with sarcoidosis hospitalized at the Institute of Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis, Clinical Center of Serbia, over the period 2002-2003.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis evidenced that 31.5% of sarcoidosis patients had pathognomonic echographic findings of abdominal organs: splenomegaly (13%), hepatomegaly (10.8%) and hepatosplenomegaly (7.7%). Three patients underwent surgical treatment of liver and spleen sarcoidosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pathognomonic findings of liver and spleen sarcoidosis were evidenced in approximately one third of sarcoidosis cases and they represented a significant parameter for further therapy, particularly in chronic patients.
authors.affiliation: Institut za plućne bolesti, Klinicki centar Srbije, Beograd. miladtr@Eunet.yu
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Skodrić-Trifunović
authors.forename: Violeta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vucinić
authors.forename: Radoje
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Colović
authors.forename: Jelica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Videnović
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zugić
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stojsić
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*