Gastrointestinal sarcoidosis. A review.
OBJECTIVE
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder. The gastrointestinal system is not commonly involved and is frequently asymptomatic. It can be associated with significant morbidity and indeed mortality. The aim of this article is to review the common and rare gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary manifestations of sarcoidosis.


METHODS
All literature on gastrointestinal sarcoidosis was found using a computerized Pubmed search from 1966 to January 2006. The keywords used were 'Gastrointestinal', 'Hepatobiliary', and 'Sarcoidosis'.


RESULTS
The article reviews each 'section' of the gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary tracts in turn, discusses difficulties in achieving a diagnosis, differential diagnoses and treatment options.


CONCLUSIONS
This review highlights the difficulties in establishing a firm diagnosis of gastrointestinal sarcoidosis as it is frequently asymptomatic and can often mimic other non-caseating diseases. It also highlights some of the other disease associations such as with other biliary tract disorders and provides information on treatments, particularly the role of biologic therapies.
Adler
Matthew
M
Department of Rheumatology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK. matthew.adler@hwph-tr.nhs.uk
Burroughs
Andrew
A
Beynon
Huw
H
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology